U.S. patent application number 12/257515 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-26 for image input and output using scan-all-first input mode.
This patent application is currently assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Keiju Kuboki.
Application Number | 20090051981 12/257515 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29422432 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090051981 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuboki; Keiju |
February 26, 2009 |
Image Input and Output Using Scan-All-First Input Mode
Abstract
In processing documents, a scan-all-first mode is available, in
which a set of documents is input part by part until all documents
have been input, and, after completion of the input process, an
output process is performed as a single job for the set of
documents. In an intermediate state during the input process in
which the set of documents is input part by part in the
scan-all-first mode, a user is allowed to make settings of
processing conditions associated with, for example, insertion of a
sheet or insertion of a form image. In the job processed in the
scan-all-first mode, insertion of the sheet or insertion of a
composite image including the form image is performed according to
the settings made in the intermediate state.
Inventors: |
Kuboki; Keiju; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK
NY
10112
US
|
Assignee: |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
29422432 |
Appl. No.: |
12/257515 |
Filed: |
October 24, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10438103 |
May 15, 2003 |
7456981 |
|
|
12257515 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
358/474 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/32026 20130101;
H04N 1/32358 20130101; H04N 1/00384 20130101; H04N 2201/0082
20130101; H04N 1/32464 20130101; H04N 1/00432 20130101; H04N
1/00474 20130101; H04N 1/00413 20130101; H04N 2201/0081 20130101;
H04N 1/00411 20130101; H04N 1/00482 20130101; H04N 1/32512
20130101; H04N 2201/3288 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/474 |
International
Class: |
H04N 1/04 20060101
H04N001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 16, 2002 |
JP |
2002-141625 |
Mar 13, 2003 |
JP |
2003-068113 |
Claims
1. An image input/output apparatus comprising: an input unit for
performing at least one of a plurality of input processes, wherein
said plurality of input processes include a process of inputting a
set of document data from a document scanner unit and a process of
inputting a set of document data from an external apparatus; an
output unit for performing at least one of a plurality of output
processes, wherein said plurality of output processes include a
printing process of printing the set of document data input by the
input unit, a storage process of storing the set of document data
into an image storage unit and a transmission process of
transmitting the set of document data to another apparatus; a
setting unit for setting at least one of a plurality of processing
conditions, wherein said plurality of processing conditions include
a processing condition associated with a scan-all-first mode in
which a plurality of sets of document data input separately by the
input unit are allowed to be processed as a single group of data in
the at least one of said plurality of output processes performed by
the output unit; and a control unit for performing controls,
wherein if an inputting process of said set of document data in the
scan-all-first mode is started without said setting unit setting a
processing condition for said document data to be processed in the
scan-all-first mode, one or more of said plurality of processing
conditions is allowed to be set after the start of the input
process of said set of document data by the input unit in the
scan-all-first mode.
2-62. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an image input/output
apparatus such as a digital copying machine, an image input/output
system, a method of controlling an image input/output apparatus or
an image input/output system, a storage medium, an operation method
of an image input/output system, and a method of displaying a user
interface screen in an image input/output system.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In recent years, image input/output apparatuses such as a
digital copying machine and image input/output systems have been
developed.
[0005] The digital copy machine reads an image by using a CCD into
a digital image signal, performs various processes on the digital
image signal, and converts the resultant image signal into a laser
signal thereby recording an image on a recording medium by means of
electrophotography.
[0006] It is known in the art to store an image signal in an image
memory such as a hard disk and read it when an image is formed. In
this technique, once an image signal obtained via a scanner is
stored in the image memory, the image can be formed an arbitrary
number of times. This technique is useful in particular because it
makes it possible to perform electronic sorting.
[0007] In the art of digital copy machines, a sheet insertion mode
has been proposed.
[0008] In the sheet insertion mode, when a set of document pages is
printed, a special sheet (such as colored sheets) fed from a sheet
tray that is different from a main sheet tray is inserted as an
insertion sheet at a specified page. Herein, an insertion sheet may
be simply inserted between pages on which document images are
printed (but no image is printed on the insertion sheet itself), or
an insertion sheet may be used for a particular page on which a
document image is printed.
[0009] However, in the sheet insertion mode, a user has to set
processing conditions in the sheet insertion mode (to specify at
which page to insert an additional sheet and specify whether to
print on the inserted sheet) before the apparatus starts inputting
of document data to be processed in the sheet insertion mode. For
example, the setting of processing conditions is performed during a
preprocess in which various conditions including print conditions
are input, so that processing in the sheet insertion mode is
performed correctly. Also in the composite-with-form mode, as in
the sheet insertion mode, users need to make settings associated
with various processing conditions, such as selection of a form
image to be combined or specifying of a document page with which to
combine the form image, before the apparatus starts the operation
in the composite-with-form mode. Thus, users have to decide all
details of conditions associated with processing to be performed in
a desired mode such as the sheet insertion mode or the
composite-with-form mode and make settings associated with all
processing conditions, before the apparatus starts processing on
documents to be processed.
[0010] The above problems occur not only in the sheet insertion
mode and the composite-with-form mode, but similar problems can
also occur when the apparatus is operated in an output mode under
specified output processing conditions. That is, users have to know
information on all details of conditions associated with output
processing to be performed and have to make settings associated
with all processing conditions, before the apparatus starts
processing.
[0011] In the conventional techniques, as described above, in a
case in which processing is performed in a mode in which a user has
to correctly set processing conditions depending on the content
and/or the state of documents to be processed, users have to know
all details of documents to be processed and have to decide and set
all conditions associated with processing to be performed, before
the processing is started, and thus users have to perform
complicated and troublesome operations. The above problem becomes
more serious when a large number of documents are processed. In
particular, in the sheet insertion mode, users have to decide and
specify at which document pages additional sheets should be
inserted. Thus, users have to do very troublesome job when there
are a great number of documents to be processed. In the
composite-with-form mode, users also have to select a form image to
be combined and decide a position at which the form image is to be
put, and have to make settings according to the decision, and thus
users also have to do very troublesome job in particular when there
are a great number of documents to be processed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide an image
input/output apparatus, an image input/output system, a method of
controlling an image input/output apparatus, a method of
controlling an image input/output system, a storage medium, an
operation method for an image input/output system, and a method of
displaying a user interface screen for use in an image input/output
system, which solve the aforementioned problems of the conventional
techniques.
[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
technique of allowing a user to easily make settings of processing
conditions even for a set of many documents without having to know
all details of documents before processing is started, and
performing processing in accordance with the settings made by the
user.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
technique of performing processing in a manner desired by a user
without necessitating that the user make settings of all details of
processing conditions before the processing is started.
[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
technique of applying a scan-all-first mode to a process including
insertion of a sheet or insertion of a composite image, which needs
information specifying a page position at which processing should
be performed, to make it possible for a user to easily make
necessary settings.
[0016] The invention provides a scan-all-first mode in which when a
set of document sheets is given, all document sheets are read
first. In reading of documents, the set of document sheets may be
divided into subsets of document sheets, and reading may be
performed on a subset-by-subset basis. After reading all documents,
a job is performed to print all images of documents. In a case in
which a given set of document sheets includes so many sheets that
all sheets cannot be put on a document feeder at a time, or in a
case in which a set of document sheets includes a special sheet
such as a thick sheet that cannot be handled by the document
feeder, the scan-all-first mode allows all images of the set of
document sheets to be processed as a single copy job.
[0017] The invention provides a composite-with-form mode in which a
form image is stored in advance, and a document image is combined
with the form image and the resultant image is output.
[0018] Further objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description of
the preferred embodiments (with reference to the attached
drawings).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a general construction of
an image input/output system according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a reader unit and a
printer unit.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a control unit.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a process according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface
screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface
screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface
screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface
screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface
screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface
screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of table data
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a process according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface
screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface
screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a sample output according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface
screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface
screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface
screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of table data
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 21 is a diagram depicting an example of a tab
sheet.
[0040] FIGS. 22A and 22B are diagrams showing sample inputs and
output sheets according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0041] FIGS. 23A and 23B are diagrams showing sample inputs and
output sheets according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0042] FIGS. 24A, 24B, and 24C are diagrams showing examples of
user interface screens according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0043] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface
screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] FIGS. 26A, 26B, and 26C are diagrams showing examples of
user interface screens according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0045] FIGS. 27A, 27B, and 27C are diagrams showing sample inputs
and output sheets mode according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0046] A general construction of an image input/output system
according to an embodiment of the present invention is described
below with reference to FIG. 1.
[0047] Reader unit 200 optically reads a document image and
produces image data corresponding to the document image. The reader
unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 for scanning a document and a
document feeder unit 250 for feeding documents.
[0048] Printer unit 300 feeds a print sheet, prints image data on
the print sheet thereby forming a visual image thereon, and ejects
the resultant print sheet from the printer unit 300. The printer
unit 300 includes a sheet feeder unit 310 including a plurality of
print sheet cassettes, a marking unit 320 for transferring image
data to a print sheet and fixing the image, a sheet ejection unit
330 for ejecting the printed sheet out of the printer unit 300, and
a finisher unit 500 for performing stapling and/or sorting.
[0049] A controller 110 is electrically connected to the reader
unit 200 and the printer unit 300 and also to host computers 401
and 402 via a network 400.
[0050] The controller 110 controls the reader unit 200 and the
printer unit 300 so that the reader unit 200 reads image data of a
document. The printer unit 300 prints the image data on a print
sheet, thereby providing a copying capability. The controller 110
is also capable of converting image data acquired via the reader
unit 200 into code data and transmitting it the host computers via
the network 400 thereby providing a scanner capability.
Furthermore, the controller 110 is capable of converting code data
received from a host computer via the network 400 into image data
and outputting the image data to the printer unit 300, thereby
providing a printer capability.
[0051] Images read by the reader unit 200 can be stored in an image
storage unit 160. The printer unit 300 can read an image from the
image storage unit 160 and can print it. This makes it possible to
perform reading and printing independently. Furthermore, once image
is stored in the image storage unit 160, it can be read and printed
an arbitrary number of times. The image storage unit 160 includes a
page memory capable of storing one page of data and also includes a
hard disk or the like (not shown) capable of plural pages of data
(image data, attribute data, etc.) A plurality of jobs (a plurality
of image data sets) can be stored on the hard disk. An arbitrary
job can be read from the hard disk when print is performed using
the printer unit 300, or an arbitrary job can be read from the hard
disk and transmitted to another apparatus. The image input/output
system is capable of communicating with external apparatuses such
as a host computer 401 and host computer 402 via a communication
medium such as the network 400. Data input from an external
computer can be stored in the page memory or the hard disk in the
image storage unit 160. The image input/output system also has a
facsimile capability, whereby print data can be received from an
external facsimile machine and the received print data can be
stored in the memory described above. The capability of storing
data in the memory makes it possible to perform input processing
and out processing independently. Input processing and output
processing of a job can be in a synchronous or asynchronous manner
as required. Furthermore, it is also possible to perform processing
for a plurality of jobs concurrently (or in interleaved manner).
For example, input processing for a certain job can be performed
while performing output processing for another job.
[0052] The image input/output system 100 including an image forming
apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile
machine, or a multifunction machine according to the present
embodiment can operate in various modes such as a copy mode in
which an image read by the reader unit 200 is printed by the
printer unit 300, a print mode in which data input from an external
computer is printed by the printer unit 300, a facsimile mode in
which data received from a facsimile machine at a remote location
is printed by the printer unit 300, a transmission mode in which a
job stored in the image storage unit 160 of the system 100 is
transmitted to an external apparatus via a network or the like, and
a box mode in which storage areas of the hard disk (not shown) of
the image storage unit 160 are virtually assigned as boxes to
respective users so that each user can use their own box in such a
manner that user can store data in his/her box of the hard disk and
can read it at a desired time to print it in a desired format or to
transmit it to an external apparatus. Although in the present
embodiment, the apparatus or the system has a plurality of
functions, the present invention may also applied to an apparatus
or a system having only one of the functions described above and
may also be applied to an apparatus or a system having a greater
number of functions. The techniques associated with processing,
controlling, displaying, etc., disclosed herein may be applied to
an apparatus or a system of any type and may be modified as
required.
[0053] The control unit 150 is connected to the controller 110 and
includes a liquid crystal touch panel having a display capability
(of displaying processing conditions, control buttons, guidance
information, an error message, status information, a preview image
of an input image) and an input capability (of inputting various
commands or data to set the processing mode, output conditions, and
associated parameters) thereby providing a user interface which
allows a user to control the image input/output system. The control
unit 150 according to the present embodiment also includes, in
addition to the touch panel described above, mechanical control
means such as hard keys. Alternatively, the control unit 150 may
include separate user interfaces such as a display for displaying
data and an input device such as a ten-key pad for inputting data
or commands or may include a single user interface on which all
capabilities are integrated.
[0054] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the reader unit 200
and the printer unit 300 of the image input/output apparatus
according to the present embodiment. In the reader unit 200, a
document feeder unit 250 feeds documents to platen glass 211 on a
sheet-by-sheet basis in the order from the top to the bottom of a
pile of document sheets. After completion of reading the image of a
document sheet, the document feeder unit 250 transfers the document
sheet from the platen glass 211 to a scanned-document tray 219.
When a document is fed onto the platen glass 211, a lamp 212 is lit
and an optical unit 213 is moved so that the document is exposed to
light emitted from the moving optical unit 213 thereby scanning the
document. Reflected light from the document is incident on a CCD
image sensor (hereinafter, referred to simply as a CCD) 218 via
mirrors 214, 215, and 216 and via a lens 217. Thus, the scanned
image of the document is read by the CCD 218. Image data is output
from the CCD 218 and supplied to the controller 110 after being
subjected to necessary processing. As required, the controller 110
stores the image data, as an output job, in the page memory or the
hard disk of the image storage unit 160. Herein, each job
corresponds to document data of a set of documents including one or
more pages, and a plurality of jobs correspond to a plurality of
document data sets. Each job is stored on the hard disk together
with data or parameters indicating processing conditions, such as
the output mode, the number of copies to be printed, the size of
the print sheets to be used, the document size, the image
intensity, and finishing processing conditions such as stapling
conditions.
[0055] In the printer unit 300, a laser driver 321 drives the laser
emitting unit 322 so as to emit laser light corresponding to the
image data output from the controller 110 or the image data read
from the page memory or the hard disk of the image storage unit
160. The laser light is irradiated to a photosensitive drum 323 so
as to form a latent image thereon corresponding to the laser light.
The latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 323 is then
developed with developing toner supplied by a developing unit
324.
[0056] In synchronization with irradiation of the laser light, a
print sheet is fed from one of a cassette 311, a cassette 312, a
cassette 313, a cassette 314, and a manual sheet feed tray 315 to
an image transfer unit 325 along a sheet transport path 331, and
the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 323 to
the print sheet. The print sheet having the toner image formed
thereon is transported to a fixing unit 327 by a transport belt
326. The fixing unit 327 fixes the toner image formed on the print
sheet by means of heat and pressure. Thereafter, the print sheet is
transported from the fixing unit 327 to the outside via a sheet
transport path 335 and a sheet transport path 334. In a case in
which the print sheet is ejected to the outside after being turned
over, the print sheet is transported to a sheet transport path 336
and further to a sheet transport path 338, and then transported
therefrom in a reverse direction to the outside via a sheet
transport path 337 and the sheet transport path 334.
[0057] On the other hand, in a case in which printing on both sides
of paper is specified in processing conditions set by a user, after
the print sheet is transported from the fixing unit 327 to the
sheet transport path 336, the print sheet is transported to a sheet
transport path 333 via a flapper 329. Thereafter, the print sheet
is transported in a reverse direction to a refeeding sheet path 332
via the flapper 329 and the sheet transport path 338. Thereafter,
in synchronization with irradiation of the laser light, the print
sheet is transported to the image transfer unit 325 from the
refeeding sheet path 332 via the sheet transport path 331.
[0058] The print sheet ejected from the printer unit 300 via the
sheet transport path 334 is transported to the finisher unit
500.
[0059] In the finisher unit 500, the print sheet is first
transported to a buffer unit 501. In the buffer unit 501, as
required, the print sheet is wound around a buffer roller for
buffering. For example, in a case in which following processing
such as stapling needs a long time, the buffer unit allows print
sheets to be supplied at a properly adjusted speed. This allows an
increase in throughput.
[0060] Thereafter, the print sheet is ejected onto a stack tray
507a via an upstream ejection roller pair 502 and a downstream
ejection roller pair 503.
[0061] In the staple mode, immediately after the trailing end of
the print sheet has passed through the upstream ejection roller
pair 502, the print sheet is moved back by a knurl belt 504 and
ejected onto a staple tray 505.
[0062] If a specified number of sheets have been put on the staple
tray 505, sheets are stapled by a stapling unit 506 and ejected
onto the ejection tray 507a by the downstream ejection roller pair
503. The stapling is performed or not performed in accordance with
the settings made by the user.
[0063] The ejection tray has two bins 507a and 507b which can be
synchronously moved up and down by a driving unit (not shown).
[0064] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the ejection trays 507a and
507b are at positions at which sheets are ejected onto the ejection
tray 507a, the ejections trays 507a and 507b can be moved upward so
that sheets are ejected onto the ejection tray 507b.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 3, the control unit 150 is described
below.
[0066] An LCD touch panel 600 is used to set main modes (and
associated processing conditions). The LCD touch panel 600 also
displays a status (and information indicating the current mode,
processing conditions, and an error, and also guidance
information). A ten-key pad 601 is used to input a numerical value
from 0 to 9. An ID key 602 is used to input a section number and a
password in a case in which the section number and the password are
required to use the apparatus.
[0067] A reset key 603 is used to reset the mode being currently
set. A guide key 604 is used to display guide information about the
respective modes. (When this guide key 604 is pressed, guide
information is displayed on the LCD 600). A user mode key 605 is
used to open a user mode screen. An interrupt key 606 is used to
interrupt the current operation to perform copying.
[0068] A start key 607 is used to start the copying operation. A
top key 608 is used to stop the copy job being currently
executed.
[0069] If a soft power switch 609 is pressed, the backlight of the
LCD 600 is turned off, the operation mode of the apparatus falls
into a low-power mode. If a save power key 610 is pressed, the
apparatus enters into a power-save mode. If this key is pressed
again, the apparatus returns to the normal mode from the power-save
mode.
[0070] Functions keys 611, 612, and 613 are used to set the
apparatus into an extension mode (including, for example, a
transmission mode), a box mode, and a copy mode, respectively. In
the example shown in FIG. 3, a user interface screen for use in the
copy mode is displayed as a standard screen. If a function key 612
or 613 on this user interface screen is pressed, another user
interface screen corresponding to the pressed function key is
displayed.
[0071] A contrast key 614 is used to adjust the contrast of the LCD
touch panel.
[0072] If a counter key 615 is pressed, a counter screen indicating
the total number of copied sheets is displayed on the LCD.
[0073] An LED 616 is lit when image data is being stored in the
image memory. An error LED 617 is lit to indicate that an error
such as a paper jam or a door-open error has occurred in the
apparatus. A power LED 618 is lit to indicate that the main switch
of the apparatus is in an on-state.
[0074] The control unit 150, as with the other units such as the
reader unit 200, the printer unit 300, and the image storage unit
160, is monitored and controlled by the controller 110. That is,
the controller 110 controls all those units. More specifically, the
controller 110 controls the control unit 150 so as to display
various user interface screens. If setting information is input by
a user via the user interface screen, the setting information is
transferred from the control unit 150 to the controller 110. In
accordance with the setting information, the controller 110
controls various units so as to provide a specified function or
operation.
First Embodiment
[0075] The operation of main parts in the scan-all-first mode,
performed under the control of the controller 110, according to a
first embodiment of the present invention is described below with
reference to flow charts and drawings shown in FIGS. 4 to 15. The
displaying operation performed by the control unit 150 and
operations performed by various units in accordance with commands
input via the control unit 150 are also controlled by the
controller 110.
[0076] FIG. 14 shows a standard screen displayed on the control
unit 150. The present embodiment provides a plurality of modes
(copy mode, box mode, transmission mode, etc.), and each mode has
its own user interface screen. Users can select a basic screen of
one of those modes as the standard screen (initial screen). The
controller 110 displays the basic screen of a particular mode
specified by a user as the standard screen on the display. In the
following description, by way of example, it is assumed that the
user interface screen in the copy mode has been selected as the
standard screen. On the user interface screen, the user can make
settings in terms of various items for example, selection of an
operation mode and associated parameters. If the extension key 701
on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 14 is pressed by a user,
the controller 110 controls the LCD 600 so as to display an
extension mode setting screen, such as that shown in FIG. 15, on
the control unit 150. If a scan-all-first key 702 on the extension
mode setting screen is further pressed by the user, the controller
110 sets the operation mode to the scan-all-first mode.
[0077] The scan-all-first mode is described in further detail
below. In the scan-all-first mode, a plurality of document data to
be processed in a single job, such as a print job, a box
registration job, or a transmission job, are separately input part
by part via a plurality of input processes. After inputting is
completed for all document data, all document data are combined
together into a single group and processed in the single job.
[0078] The scan-all-first mode can be advantageously employed, for
example, when all document sheets to be processed in a single job
cannot be input in a single input process as is the case when the
number of document sheets to be processed is greater than a maximum
number of sheets which can be put at a time on the document tray of
the auto document feeder (ADF) of the reader unit 200, or as is the
case when a plurality of document sheets to be processed in a
single job are input on a sheet-by-sheet basis by directly placing
one sheet at a time on platen glass of a document plate. The
scan-all-first mode can also advantageously be employed when it is
desirable to deal with different jobs as a single job. That is, the
scan-all-first mode allows plural sets of document data separately
input via different input processes to be processed in a single
job, to be dealt with as a single group of data.
[0079] For example, in a case in which a set of document sheets is
input separately part by part via three input processes, a user
first selects the scan-all-first mode. Once this mode is set, the
controller 110 does not deal with subsets of document data input
separately as different jobs and does not permit an output process
to be performed until the inputting is completed for the full set
of document data. More specifically, input document data is
sequentially stored on the hard disk (not shown) of the image
storage unit 160 while maintaining the correct page order (same as
the order in which pages are input), until inputting is completed
for the full set of document data. After completion of inputting of
the full set of document data (via three input processes in this
specific example), a subset of document data input via the first
input process, a subset of document data input via the second input
process, and a subset of document data input via the third input
process are read from the hard disk page by page in a proper order
(for example in the same order as that in which pages were input in
a case in which pages were input in the order of increasing pages
starting from the first page, or in the order opposite to the order
in which pages were input in a case in which pages were input in
the order of decreasing pages starting from the last page) and are
combined together into a single job to further perform a following
process such as a stapling process, a print process in a
double-sided mode, a layout process, a storage process into a box
allocated on the hard disk, or a transmission process to another
apparatus.
[0080] In the above process, the determination of whether inputting
of all document data to be processed in a single job is completed
is made by the controller 110 by determining whether a scan end
command has been issued by a user via the control unit 150. In a
case in which the determination is made on the basis of the scan
end command, if the controller 110 cannot detect a scan end command
from a user after completion of inputting of one or more document
sheets, the controller 110 determines that the input process is not
completed yet and the controller 110 controls various related
units, such as the reader unit 200, the image storage unit 160, the
printer unit 300, and the control unit 150 so as to make it ready
to scan another document. However, if the controller 110 receives a
scan end command from the user after completion of inputting of one
or more documents, the controller 110 determines that inputting is
completed for all document data, and the controller 110 controls
the relating units so that all input document data are combined
into a single job and processed.
[0081] In the present embodiment, as described above, the user does
not have to input a command to specify the number of times data
will be input separately part by part in the scan-all-first mode,
and the input process is continued until the scan end command is
issued by the user, although the present invention may be applied
to a case in which before starting the input process, the user
inputs a value (three in the above example) indicating the number
of times data is to be input separately, and the controller 110
starts an output process as a single job when the input process has
been performed the specified number of times.
[0082] In the present embodiment, the image input/output system has
other operation modes such as a printer mode and a facsimile mode
in addition to the copy mode described above. In any of those
operation modes, inputting of document data can be performed in the
scan-all-first mode. For example, in a case in which data is input
from an external computer, the controller 110 sets the input
process mode to the scan-all-first mode in response to receiving
via an external device interface a command to specify the
scan-all-first mode from the external computer. After starting the
input process in the scan-all-first mode, the controller 110 stores
document data, which is input part by part from the external
computer via the external device interface, on the hard disk so
that the document data can be dealt with as a single job. When a
command to end the inputting process in the scan-all-first mode is
received from the computer via the external device interface, the
controller 110 reads the full set of document data to be processed
as the single job from the hard disk, and the controller 110
controls various units so as to perform a specified process, such
as a print process, a box registration process, a transfer process
to another apparatus as the single job.
[0083] Alternatively, if information indicating the number of times
data is separately input part by part is received from the computer
via the external device interface, inputting of data is performed
via the external device interface until the inputting process has
been performed the specified number of times, and the input data is
stored on the hard disk while maintaining the correct page order so
that the data can be used in the following output process to be
performed as a single job, without allowing the data to be read
from the hard disk until the completion of the inputting process
for all data. When the inputting process has been performed the
specified number of times and thus all data has been input, the
controller 110 reads the full set of document data to be processed
in the single job from the hard disk and performs the output
process on the data read from the hard disk.
[0084] The scan-all-first mode according to the present embodiment,
as described above, can be specified in various ways, such as
issuing a scan end command, or by specifying the number of times
the input process is performed, and can be used in various
operation modes, such as an external mode like the copy mode, the
facsimile mode, and the printer mode, the box mode, and the
transmission mode. Because the scan-all-first mode can be used not
only in the copy mode but also in other modes such as the facsimile
mode or the printer mode, the scan-all-first mode in the input
process is also called "input-all-first mode" depending on the
operation mode.
[0085] If there are other modes, processing conditions, and/or
parameters to be specified in the operation in addition to the
input-all-first mode, the user can specify those via the control
unit 150. After necessary processing conditions have been set by
the user, if the start key 607 is pressed by the user, the
controller 110 stores data indicating the processing conditions in
the memory in relation to the job to be processed, and the
controller 110 starts the copy sequence shown in the form of a flow
chart in FIG. 4. In the copy sequence, the controller 110 controls
various related units so that the copy sequence is correctly
performed.
[0086] The process shown in the flow charts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5
(and also other processes described elsewhere) is performed by the
CPU of the controller 110 in accordance with a program stored in
the memory of the controller 110.
[0087] First, in step S4-1, if a scan-all-first start command is
issued by a user by pressing a SCAN ALL FIRST key 702 on the
extension mode setting screen shown in FIG. 15, a scan-all-first
sequence is started. The scan-all-first sequence is described below
with reference to a flow chart shown in FIG. 5.
[0088] In step S5-1, a control-unit control task is informed that
the process has entered into the scan-all-first mode, and
information indicating that scanning process is being performed is
displayed on the screen of the control unit 150, as shown in FIG.
6. This screen includes a status display area in which information
indicating status in terms of various processing conditions in the
input process, such as the remaining memory capacity, the printing
status, or the processing time, is displayed. The screen also
includes a display area in which processing conditions, such as the
scaling factor, the sheet size, or the scanning intensity level,
are displayed. Furthermore, the screen includes a command area for
inputting a command such as a cancel command. In step S5-2, a
one-sheet scan process (including scanning a document sheet and
storing the obtained document data on the hard disk of the image
storage unit 160) is performed. In this case, a document sheet is
put directly on the platen, in the mode in which document sheets
are placed one by one directly on the platen glass and scanned,
without using the ADF, and only scanning is performed. However, in
a case in which two or more document sheets are put on the ADF, in
the mode in which scanning is performed using the ADF, one document
sheet is fed from the document tray of the ADF to the scanning
position, scanned at the scanning position, and transported to the
ejected document tray. The process in step S5-2 is repeated until
all documents sheets have been scanned.
[0089] In the put-on-platen mode, a document sheet is directly put
on the document scan plate by a user and thus only one document
sheet is dealt with in this step. In this mode, the scanner unit is
moved while maintaining the document sheet at a fixed position. On
the other hand, in the ADF mode, document sheets put on the
document tray of the ADF are fed sheet by sheet to the scanning
position and scanned. In this mode, the scanner unit is fixed and
the documents are passed over the scanner unit sheet by sheet so
that the document images are read when the document sheets pass
over the scanner unit. This mode is also called a document flow
mode. Thus, in the ADF mode, as many document sheets as document
sheets put by a user on the document tray are scanned in this step
until all document sheets have been fed and scanned.
[0090] In the scan-all-first mode, as described above, the maximum
number of document sheets pages which can be scanned in a single
process in step S5-2 is equal to one in the case of the
put-on-platen mode, and equal to the number of document sheets set
on the document tray of the ADF, within the range from one to the
maximum number of document sheets allowed to be placed on the
document tray, in the case of the ADF mode. The ADF has a transport
path for double-sided scanning, and thus in the ADF mode, both
sides (two pages) of each document sheet can be scanned. In the
case in which both sides are scanned using the ADF, the maximum
pages which can be scanned in a signal process in step S5-2 is
equal to twice the maximum number of document sheets allowed to be
put on the document tray.
[0091] The document data obtained via steps S5-2 and S5-3 is stored
on the hard disk of the image storage unit 160 while maintaining
the correct page order. When the document data is stored on the
hard disk, associated information such as page information, image
addresses, etc., needed to manage the document data is described in
a management table and stored on the hard disk so that the document
data can be correctly read, as required, from the hard disk in a
process which will be performed later.
[0092] In step S5-3, it is determined whether scanning is completed
for all document sheets which should be scanned at a time. When
scanning documents using the platen, the answer to decision step
S5-3 becomes "Yes" when one document sheet has been scanned. On the
other hand, in the case in which a plurality of document sheets are
put on the document tray of the ADF, the answer to decision step
S5-3 becomes "Yes" when scanning is completed for all document
sheets put on the document tray. When scanning using the ADF, the
presence or absence of document sheets on the document tray of the
ADF is detected by a document sensor disposed on the document tray.
If the controller 110 receives information indicating that there
are no more documents on the document tray from the reader unit
200, the controller 110 determines as yes in step S5-3. If the
answer to decision step S5-3 is "No", the process returns to step
S5-2 to read a document image data of a next page. On the other
hand, if the answer to decision step S5-3 is "Yes", the process
proceeds to step S5-4. In step S5-4, the controller 110 notifies
the control-unit control task that the process has entered into an
intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode. In response to
receiving the notification, the control unit 150 displays a screen
as shown in FIG. 7. The intermediate state in the scan-all-first
mode refers to a state in which the input process in the
scan-all-first mode, in steps S5-2 and S5-3, for one of subsets of
document data is completed but the input process for a next subset
of document data is not started yet and the reader unit 200 is not
currently performing the input process. In this intermediate state,
a user may put a next subset of document sheets to be scanned on
the document tray and may set necessary conditions via the control
unit. In the intermediate state, the controller 110 controls the
control unit 150 to display a user interface screen such as that
shown in FIG. 7 for use in the intermediate state in the
scan-all-first mode. Using the user interface screen shown in FIG.
7 displayed in the intermediate state, it is possible to change
some conditions, as required, for the next subset of document
sheets to be scanned. The user interface screen shown in FIG. 7
includes command keys 703 to 708 used by a user to input a command
to specify scanning conditions, and a scanning condition display
area in which information indicating the current scanning
conditions is displayed. In the specific example shown in FIG. 7,
the scaling factor is set to 100%, the print sheet size is set to
A4 in vertical position, the intensity level is adjusted
automatically, and the document type is set to text. The user
interface also includes a status display area in which the
operation status of the apparatus is displayed. In the specific
example shown in FIG. 7, information displayed in this area
indicates that the remaining available storage capacity of the hard
disk is 100% and scanning can be started. Additionally, the user
interface includes an operation guidance display area in which
guidance information in terms of the operation to be performed by a
user is displayed. In the specific example shown in FIG. 7, the
guidance information displayed in this area indicates that the user
should replace the document sheets and press the start key. The
controller 110 displays the user interface screen, such as that
described above, on the LCD of the control panel 150. The details
of this user interface screen are determined on the basis of
information associated with setting made by a user, data associated
with display elements and information indicating the operation
status given by status sensors of respective units. The display
elements described above may all be displayed on a single screen as
in the present embodiment, or some display elements may be
displayed on a different screen. Alternatively, respectively
display elements may be displayed on different screens. In this
user interface screen, a document type key 703 is used to specify
the document type such as text, mixture of text and picture, or
picture. Image processing parameters associated with the image
quality or the like are determined in accordance with the document
type specified using the document type key 703, and image
processing is performed in accordance with the determined
parameters. An insert-sheet key 704 is used to specify the sheet
insertion mode. A double-sided key 705 is used to specify either
the double-sided scanning mode, in which both sides of each
document is scanned and image data thereof is stored in the memory,
or a single-sided scanning mode, in which only one side of each
document is scanned and image data thereof is stored in the memory.
Each time this double-sided key 705 is pressed, the mode is
switched between the double-sided scanning mode and the
single-sided scanning mode. If an end key 706 is pressed, the
scanning of documents in the scan-all-first mode is ended and
outputting in a specified mode (print mode, for example) is started
for the full set of document data (one job data) scanned and stored
on the hard disk of the image storage unit 160 in this
scan-all-first mode. Thus, this end key 706 functions not only to
end the scan-all-first process and also to start a following
outputting process. A cancel key 707 is used to cancel the copy
job. If this cancel key 707 is pressed, everything in this
scan-all-first mode is cancelled and the document data acquired in
the present process in the scan-all-first mode is discarded.
Intensity level keys 708 are used to adjust the intensity level. In
addition to the keys 703 to 708 described above, the user interface
screen also includes a display area for specifying other processing
conditions such as the number of sheets to be output, the number of
copies to be output, etc. Setting of the number of sheets or copies
to be output may be performed using soft keys displayed on the
display panel or hard keys such as a ten-key pad. In the present
embodiment, keys for setting processing conditions, such as keys
703 to 708, included in the user interface screen displayed in the
intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode can be classified
into two types: setting change keys for changing the processing
conditions which have already been set (in the specific example
shown in FIG. 7, keys 703, 705, and 708, and keys for changing the
number of sheets or copies to be output (not shown)); and keys for
setting processing condition which have not set yet (for example,
the key 704 in the specific example shown in FIG. 7). In the latter
type, keys may have both capabilities of changing conditions and
setting new conditions. In the present embodiment, the user
interface screen may have only one type of keys or may have both
types of keys. Furthermore, one type of keys may all be displayed
on a sub-screen, or some keys including both types may be displayed
on a sub-screen. In any case, respective display areas are
displayed on the user interface screen in such a manner that users
can understand the purposes of those display areas. By displaying
the above-described user interface screen in an intermediate state
in the scan-all-first mode in a period after the process of
inputting a set of data in the scan-all-first mode is started by
the reader unit 200 and before the output process as a single job
of the data input in the scan-all-first mode is started, it becomes
possible for the apparatus to deal with the job in the
scan-all-first mode in various manners as specified by users. This
eliminates the troublesome and complicated user operations which
are needed in the conventional technique. That is, it becomes
possible to output a job in a desired form under desired conditions
without necessitating that the user knows all details of documents
to be processed and that the user sets all conditions associated
with the process to be performed before starting the process. The
above-described advantages become much greater, in particular, when
the job includes a large number of document sheets. The great
advantages obtained in such a situation will become apparent upon
considering disadvantages in a mode in which the user has to know
all details of conditions and status associated with a great number
of document sheets to be processed. Also in the sheet insertion
mode, the user does not have to know at which page to insert an
insertion sheet before starting the process, but the user can make
settings as required in the middle of the process. When there are a
large number of document sheets to be processed, the process can be
performed in an easy fashion without necessitating that the user
performs complicated or troublesome operations. Thus, even in the
case in which the process should be performed correctly as in the
sheet insertion mode in which additional sheets should be inserted
at correct pages, the process can be performed correctly even for a
job including a large number of document sheets without
necessitating that the user performs complicated and troublesome
operations. Furthermore, after starting the process of inputting
data, if the user notices that some necessary condition has not
specified yet or some condition should be corrected, the user can
specify or correct the condition in the intermediate state without
causing some data to be output in an undesired manner which can
occur in the conventional technique.
[0093] In step S5-5, the user inputs necessary commands via a user
interface screen displayed in the intermediate state in the
scan-all-first mode, such as that shown in FIG. 7.
[0094] In step S5-6, it is determined whether the cancel key 707 on
the screen shown in FIG. 7 is pressed by the user. If yes, the
process jumps to step S5-14. In step S5-14, the copying operation
is cancelled and the subroutine is ended. More specifically, data,
which has been input and stored on the hard disk in step S5-2
during the process for the cancelled job and other data, such as
data indicating processing conditions or parameters associated with
the job, is deleted.
[0095] In a case in which the answer to decision step S5-6 is no,
the process proceeds to step S5-7. In step S5-7, it is determined
whether the double-sided key 705 on the screen shown in FIG. 7 is
pressed by the user. If no, the process jumps to step S5-9.
However, if yes, the process proceeds to step S5-8. In step S5-8,
the mode is switched between the double-sided mode and the
single-sided mode, and the process proceeds to step S5-9. Note that
in step S5-8, in a case in which the key 705 is pressed by the user
when the mode is in the double-sided mode, the mode is switched
from the double-sided mode to the single-sided mode, while in a
case in which the key 705 is pressed when the mode is in the
single-sided mode, the mode is switched from the single-sided mode
to the double-sided mode. The information indicating the conditions
set above is stored in relation with the job in the memory. The
controller 110 operates so that the conditions set herein are
reflected for a next subset of document data which is a part of the
full set of document data to be dealt with as the same group of
data and which is going to be input in step S5-2 following the
subset of document data which has already been input and stored on
the hard disk.
[0096] In step S5-9, it is determined whether the document type
setting key 703 on the screen shown in FIG. 7 is pressed by the
user to change the setting of the document type. If no, the process
jumps to step S5-11. However, if yes, the process proceeds to step
S5-10, and the document type is reset as specified by the user.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S5-11. The parameter
indicating the document type set in step S5-10 is also stored, as
one of conditions associated with the present job, in the memory in
relation to the job. Also in this case, the controller 110 operates
so that the conditions set herein are reflected for a next subset
of document data which is a part of the full set of document data
to be dealt with as the same group of data and which is going to be
input in step S5-2 following the subset of document data which has
already been input and stored on the hard disk.
[0097] In step S5-11, it is determined whether the insert-sheet key
704 on the screen shown in FIG. 7 is pressed by the user. If no,
the process jumps to step S5-13. However, if yes, the process
proceeds to step S5-12. In step S5-12, the sheet insertion mode is
set and a user interface screen is presented so that in the
intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode, the user is allowed
to make settings associated with processing conditions in the sheet
insertion mode, as will be described in detail below.
[0098] FIG. 8 shows a screen which is displayed when the
insert-sheet key 704 on the screen, shown in FIG. 7, displayed on
the control panel of the control unit 150 is pressed by the user.
The switching of the displayed screen is performed by the
controller 110 by controlling the control unit 150 in response to
pressing of the key 704. On the screen shown in FIG. 8, the user
can specify processing conditions or parameters in terms of an
insertion sheet or a tab sheet to be inserted in the sheet
insertion mode. Herein, the insertion sheet refers to a sheet with
a normal size and a normal shape, and the tab sheet refers to a
sheet having a tab added with a normal sheet, such as that shown in
FIG. 21. The type of a sheet (paper quality such as a normal sheet,
recycled paper, or colored paper and sheet size) to be used as the
insertion sheet and the type of a sheet to be used as a tab sheet
can be specified by a user via a user interface screen (not shown).
The user interface screen shown in FIG. 8 includes display elements
such as a selection area which allows a user to select, from a
plurality of candidates, a type of a sheet to be inserted, for a
job to be processed in the scan-all-first mode (either a tab sheet
or an insertion sheet can be selected, in the specific example
shown in FIG. 8), and a selection area which allows the user to
select whether data of the input job should be printed on a sheet
of the selected type (by pressing a "Copy key" or a "Don't Copy"
key, in the example shown in FIG. 8). The display elements are
produced on the basis of the data stored in the display screen
memory (not shown).
[0099] Keys 709 are used to select a tab sheet as the type of sheet
to be inserted and to specify whether or not printing on the tab
sheet is performed. Keys 710 are used to select an insertion sheet
as the type of sheet to be inserted and to specify whether or not
printing on the insertion sheet is performed.
[0100] Of the four keys displayed on this screen, only one key can
be selected. When one of the four key is selected, if another key
is selected, the selection of the former key is cancelled and the
selection of the latter key becomes valid. If an OK key 711 is
pressed, the data input by the user via the user interface screen
shown in FIG. 8 is applied to the settings, and the displayed
screen is switched to a next user interface screen is opened. A key
712 is used to go back to an immediately previous user interface
screen, shown in FIG. 7. A key 713 is used to cancel the settings.
The keys 711, 172, and 713 used for the same purposes as described
herein will frequently appear in the following description,
although the functions thereof will not be described again.
[0101] If "copy" is selected by pressing the key 709 or 710 on the
user interface screen shown in FIG. 8 and then the OK button is
pressed, the controller 110 controls the control unit 150 to
display a screen such as that shown in FIG. 9. On the user
interface screen shown in FIG. 9, the user can specify which page
to print on an insertion sheet or a tab sheet selected by the user
via the user interface screen shown in FIG. 8. In the specific
example shown in FIG. 8, candidates for pages to be printed on the
inserted sheet are displayed so that the user can select a page
from the candidates. Also in the case of the user interface screen
shown in FIG. 9, data representing the display elements is stored
in the display screen memory. Under the control of the controller
110, the control unit 150 reads the display element data from the
memory and displays the elements on the screen. For example, if a
key 714 on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 9 is selected by
the user, the controller 110 stores information, as control
information, indicating that the next page has been selected. The
controller 110 then controls the related units, such as the reader
unit 200, the image storage unit 160, and the printer unit 300, in
the following process so that an image which will be scanned next,
or the image of a document sheet which is scanned first in the next
input process in step S5-2 in the scan-all-first mode and stored on
the hard disk, will be printed on the inserted sheet. On the other
hand, in the case in which a key 715 on the user interface screen
shown in FIG. 9 is selected by the user, the controller 110 stores
information indicating that the last page has been selected, and
the controller 110 controls the related units, such as the reader
unit 200, the image storage unit 160, and the printer unit 300 in
the following process so that an image, which was scanned and
stored on the hard disk (in step S5-2) immediately before the
process entered into the intermediate state (step S5-5) in the
scan-all-first mode, will be printed on the inserted sheet. If the
OK key on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 9 is pressed, the
controller 110 controls the control unit 150 so as to switch the
displayed screen from the user interface screen shown in FIG. 9 to
a user interface screen such as that shown in FIG. 10. On the other
hand, in the case in which "Don't Copy" is selected by pressing
either of keys 709 or 710 on the user interface screen shown in
FIG. 8 and the "OK" key 711 on the user interface screen shown in
FIG. 8 is then pressed, the controller 110 skips the process of
displaying the user interface screen shown in FIG. 9 and controls
the control unit 150 so as to switch the displayed screen from the
user interface screen shown in FIG. 8 to the user interface screen
shown in FIG. 10.
[0102] On the user interface screen shown in FIG. 10, the user can
specify which of sheet feeder units of the apparatus the tab sheet
or the insertion sheet is to be fed. In a case in which a key 716
is selected, the controller 110 selects a tab sheet feeder, while
the controller 110 selects an insertion sheet feeder if a key 717
is selected.
[0103] In the example shown in FIG. 10, both the key 716 and the
717 are displayed in a similar manner on the user interface. In
practice, the controller 110 controls the operation so that either
the tab sheet key 716 or the insertion sheet key 717 is highlighted
depending on which key has been selected by the user on the user
interface screen shown in FIG. 8, and so that the user can select
only one type of sheet feeder. If the key 716 or 717 on the user
interface screen shown in FIG. 10 is pressed, the controller 110
controls the control unit 150 so as to switch the displayed screen
from the user interface screen shown in FIG. 10 to a user interface
screen shown in FIG. 11. On the user interface screen shown in FIG.
11, the user can select a desired sheet feeder unit. If a sheet
feeder unit is selected by the user via the user interface screen
shown in FIG. 11 and a close key 718 is pressed, the controller 110
finishes the setting process associated with the sheet insertion
and stores, in the memory, control information indicating the
specified processing conditions associated with the sheet insertion
specified via the user interface screens shown in FIGS. 7 to 11.
The controller 110 produces a page table, which will be described
later, on the basis of the processing conditions specified above by
the user so that relating units will be controlled so as to perform
operations in accordance with the specified processing
conditions.
[0104] In step S5-13, the page table is stored. A specific example
of the page table is described below with reference to FIG. 12. The
page table may be created on the hard disk of the image storage
unit 160 or on other memory. In the example of the page table shown
in FIG. 12, document pages stored on the hard disk are described in
a column 719, in which M pages of input data are described. In a
column 720, pages on which input data should be printed are
described, a total of N pages. In column 721, sheet feeder units to
be used to print the data on the specified pages are described. In
column 722, print modes to be employed in printing on either of the
specified pages are described. For example, the data in row 723
indicates that the input image of the first document page should be
printed on the first output page in the normal print mode using the
normal sheet feeder.
[0105] The data in row 724 indicates that the third page of the
input document data should be printed on the third output page
using an insertion sheet fed from the insertion sheet feeder in the
print mode in which the image is printed on the insertion sheet.
The page table having such a content is produced, for example, in a
case in which an intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode
appears between the second and third input document pages, for
example, in a period from a time at which an input process for a
subset of document data including the second document page is
completed to a time at which an input process for a subset of
document data including the third document page is started. In this
intermediate state, the user sets processing conditions associated
with the sheet insertion mode via user interface screens such as
those shown in FIGS. 7 to 11 displayed, by the controller 110, on
the control unit 150 in such a manner that "sheet insertion" is
selected on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 7, "Copy" is
selected on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 8, and "Next
Page" is selected as a page to be printed via the user interface
screen shown in FIG. 9.
[0106] The same page table is produced also in a case in which an
intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode appears between the
third and fourth input document pages. For example, in a period
from a time at which an input process for a subset of document data
including the third document page is completed to a time at which
an input process for a subset of document data including the fourth
document page is started. In this intermediate state, the user sets
processing conditions associated with the sheet insertion mode via
user interface screens such as those shown in FIGS. 7 to 11
displayed, by the controller 110, on the control unit 150 in such a
manner that "sheet insertion" is selected on the user interface
screen shown in FIG. 7, "Copy" is selected on the user interface
screen shown in FIG. 8, and "Previous Page" (which was input at the
end of the immediately previous input process) is selected as a
page to be printed via the user interface screen shown in FIG.
9.
[0107] The data in row 725 in the table indicates that for the
sixth output page, a sheet should be fed from the insertion sheet
feeder and no data should be printed thereon. This can occur when
"Don't Copy" on insertion sheet is selected on the user interface
screen shown in FIG. 8. In this case, no data is described in the
document page column, because printing is not performed. That is,
the output process of this page is performed such that an insertion
sheet is simply fed from the specified insertion sheet feeder to
the ejection tray without performing printing. The setting of row
725 in the page table is performed in the above-described manner,
for example, in a case in which in an intermediate state between
the fifth and sixth document pages, "Insert Sheet" is selected on
the user interface screen shown in FIG. 7, "Don't Copy" is selected
on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 8, and "Insert Before
the Next Page" is selected on a user interface screen (not shown)
similar to that shown in FIG. 9.
[0108] The data in row 726 in the table indicates that the sixth
page of the input document data should be printed on the seventh
output page (seventh output), a sheet for the seventh output page
should be fed from a normal sheet feeder, and the printing on the
seventh output page should be performed in the normal print
mode.
[0109] The description of the page table in steps S5-13 is
performed on a page-by-page basis in terms of output pages. The
number of output pages to be described in the page table at a time
in step S5-13 varies depending on the number of document pages
input in an input process in step S5-2 performed immediately prior
to step S5-13 and also depending on the processing conditions,
including the processing conditions associated with the insertion
sheet, set by the user via the user interface screen in the
intermediate state in step S5-12. For example, in a case in which
two pages of document data are input in an input process in step
S5-2, and then, in an intermediate state, Insert Sheet and "Copy on
Inserted Sheet" (or "Copy on Tab Sheet") are selected, table data
for two output pages is described in the page table. In this case,
the second page of the document data input in this input process is
printed on an insertion sheet. Also in a case in which the user
setting in the intermediate state described above is ended without
selecting "Insert Sheet", table data for two output pages
corresponding to two pages of document data input in the one input
process in step S5-2 is described in the page table. In this case,
two pages of input document data are respectively printed in the
normal print mode. In a case in which in the intermediate state
described above, "Insert Sheet", "Don't Copy on Inserted Sheet" (or
"Don't Copy on Tab Sheet"), and "Insert Before the Next Page" are
selected, two pages of input document data will be printed and one
sheet will be simply inserted, without being printed on the
inserted sheet. Thus, in this case, table data for a total of three
output pages including one inserted sheet is described in the page
table. In this case, after two pages of input document data are
printed in the normal print mode, one sheet is simply inserted
thereafter without being printed thereon. After completion of
describing data in the page table, the process proceeds to step
S5-15. In step S5-15, the controller 110 determines whether the end
key 706 on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 7 is pressed by
the user. If the end key 706 has not been pressed, the process
proceeds to step S5-16. In step S5-16, it is determined whether the
start key 607 is pressed, If the start key 607 is not pressed by
the user, the process returns to step S5-6 to maintain the
intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode. In this state, the
user removes a pile of document sheets, which have been processed
in step S5-2, from the document tray or the platen glass and puts a
new pile of document sheets to be input on the document tray of the
ADF or on the platen glass serving as a document plate. In this
state, the controller 110 controls the control unit 150 so as to
display a user interface screen such as that shown in FIG. 7 on
which an instruction message indicating the operation, specifically
replacement of documents and pressing of the start key, the user
should perform is displayed thereby making it easier for the user
to perform the operation. After the document sheets are removed by
the user, if the user puts a next subset of document sheets on the
document tray of the ADF or puts one of the next subset of document
sheets directly on the platen glass and then presses the start key
607 on the control unit 150, the controller 110 returns the
processing sequence to step S5-1 to start the input process for the
next subset of document sheets.
[0110] If the end key 706 on the user interface screen shown in
FIG. 7 is pressed by the user and thus the answer to decision step
S5-15 becomes "yes", the controller 110 ends the input sequence in
the scan-all-first mode.
[0111] After completion of the input sequence in the scan-all-first
mode, the sequence returns to step S4-2 in the flow chart shown in
FIG. 4. In step S4-2, it is determined whether the cancel key is
pressed during the sequence in the scan-all-first mode. If yes, the
copy job is terminated. However, if no, the process proceeds to
step S4-3 to start a print sequence. The print sequence is
described below with reference to a flow chart shown in FIG. 13. By
way of example, it is assumed that the attribute of the job
specified by the user is a copy job and printing is specified as
the output process. Note that the digital multifunction apparatus
(system) having a plurality of modes is employed as the image
input/output apparatus (the image input/output system) according to
the present embodiment, as described above, and the digital
multifunction apparatus (system) can perform output processing not
only in the copy mode but also in one of other modes such as the
facsimile mode, the printer mode, etc. In a case in which the
digital multifunction apparatus operates in an external input mode
such as the facsimile mode or the printer mode, the copy job in the
flow chart is replaced with an external input job. In a case in
which a box registration process or a process of transmitting to an
external apparatus is specified as the output process instead of
the print process, the process in step S4-3 is replaced with the
box registration process or the transmission process. The present
digital multifunction apparatus according to the present embodiment
controls various units in an optimum manner depending on the
attribute of a job to be processed and the specified output mode.
In any case, the present invention may be applied, regardless of
the operation mode or the output processing mode.
[0112] In step S13-1 in the flow chart shown in FIG. 13, the
controller 110 accesses the page table stored on the hard disk to
acquire information associated with the job to be processed in the
scan-all-first mode. More specifically, the controller 110 reads
information at the top of the page table shown in FIG. 12. In this
specific example, information on the first output page is described
at the top of the page table, and thus the controller 110 examines
the information described in the page table in the order of
increasing output page number starting from the first output page.
In a case in which data indicating the output order can be
described in the page table, and data can be read from the page
table on the basis of the output order, information may be
described in a random fashion in the page table.
[0113] In the next step S13-2, it is determined, on the basis of
the information described in the page table, whether the sheet
insertion mode has been specified by the user via user interface
screens shown in FIGS. 7 to 11 displayed on the control unit 150 in
an intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode. If the answer to
step S13-2 is yes, if the sheet insertion key on the user interface
screen shown in FIG. 7 is selected and further an insertion sheet
is selected as an insertion sheet via the user interface screen
shown in FIG. 8, the process proceeds to step S13-3 to specify an
insertion sheet feeder for supplying an insertion sheet to be used
by the printer unit 200 as the sheet for the output page. If the
answer to decision step S13-2 is no, the process jumps to step
S13-11. In step S13-11, it is determined, on the basis of the
information described in the page table, whether a tab sheet is
specified. If the answer to decision step S13-11 is yes, for
example, if the sheet insertion key on the user interface screen
shown in FIG. 7 is selected and further a tab sheet is selected as
an insertion sheet via the user interface screen shown in FIG. 8,
the process proceeds to step S13-12 to specify a tab sheet feeder
for supplying a tab sheet to be used by the printer unit 200 as the
sheet for the output page. In a case in which the answer to
decision step S13-11 is no, for example, in a case in which the
sheet insertion key on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 7 is
not selected, or in a case in which the sheet insertion is
cancelled, the process jumps to step S13-13 to specify a normal
sheet feeder for supplying a normal sheet to be used by the printer
unit 200 as the sheet for the output page.
[0114] If specifying of the sheet feeder is completed via one of
steps S13-3, S13-12 and S13-13, the process proceeds to step S13-4.
In step S13-4, a sheet is fed from the specified sheet feeder. More
specifically, in a case in which an insertion sheet feeder is
specified in step S13-3, a sheet is fed from the specified
insertion sheet feeder. On the other hand, in a case in which a tab
sheet feeder is specified in step S13-12, a tab sheet is fed from
the specified tab sheet feeder. In a case in which a normal sheet
feeder is specified in step S13-13, a normal sheet is fed from the
specified normal sheet feeder. In the next step, step S13-5, it is
determined whether the apparatus has become ready to start
printing. More specifically, it is determined whether the sheet
from the specified sheet feeder has been transported via the sheet
transport path 331 until it has reached a position near the image
transfer unit 325. This determination is made on the basis of
information supplied from sheet sensors disposed at plural
locations in the sheet transfer path. If the answer to decision
step S13-5 is no, the process waits until the sheet has arrived at
the image transfer unit 325. If the answer to decision step S13-5
is yes, the process proceeds to step S13-6. In step S13-6, the page
table data, shown in FIG. 12, stored in the memory is examined to
determine whether it is specified that printing on the present
output page should be performed. If yes, setting is made so that a
corresponding document is to be printed in accordance with the page
table data. For example, in a case in which row 723 in the table
shown in FIG. 12 is currently being processed, setting is made so
that the first page of the input document data is printed on a
normal sheet supplied from the normal sheet feeder thereby
producing a first output page. On the other hand, in a case in
which row 724 in the table shown in FIG. 12 is currently being
processed, settings are made such that the third page of the input
document data is printed on an insertion sheet thereby producing a
third output page. If the answer to decision step S13-6 is no,
settings are made such that printing is not performed. For example,
in a case in which row 725 in the table shown in FIG. 12 is
currently being processed, an insertion sheet is used for a sixth
output page, but the insertion sheet is directly ejected onto the
ejected-sheet tray without printing on the insertion sheet.
[0115] In the next step S13-8, printing is started. After
completion of the printing, the process proceeds to step S13-9 to
eject the sheet. For any output page specified not to be printed
thereon in step S13-7, for example, for sixth output page, as
specified in row 725 in the page table shown in FIG. 12, printing
in step S13-8 is not performed and a sheet is simply output in step
S13-9.
[0116] In the next step S13-10, it is determined whether outputting
is completed for all output pages described in the page table (that
is, for all of the output pages 1 to N described in the table shown
in FIG. 12). If no, the process returns to step S13-1. However, if
yes, the print sequence is ended. If the print sequence is
completed, the process returns to the flow chart shown in FIG. 4
and the copy job is completed.
[0117] A specific example of a process is described below with
reference to FIGS. 22A and 22B. In the example shown in FIGS. 22A
and 22B, input document data is processed in the scan-all-first
mode, under the control of the controller 110, in accordance with
the flow charts shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 13 and in accordance with
the table data shown in FIG. 12. However, in this example, it is
assumed that the table information described in row 725 in the page
table shown in FIG. 12 indicates that a tab sheet is specified as
the sheet instead of the insertion sheet and the print mode is
specified such that printing on the tab sheet is not performed
instead of printing on the insertion sheet.
[0118] FIG. 22A shows a set of document sheets input part by part
via a plurality of input processes in the scan-all-first mode. FIG.
22A also shows when intermediate states in the scan-all-first mode
occur and how setting is made by a user in the respective
intermediate states.
[0119] In this specific example, as can be seen from the page table
shown in FIG. 12, there are M document pages to be processed. The M
document pages are divided into three sets of document sheets, and
they are input separately using the ADF of the apparatus via three
input processes. Of the full set of document sheets, two pages
including a first page and a second page are input in a first time
input process, three pages including third to fifth pages are input
in a second time input process, and (M-5) pages including sixth to
Mth pages are input in a third time input process. Herein, it is
assumed that the scan-all-first mode has been already set by the
user via the control unit 150.
[0120] In step S5-2 shown in FIG. 5, the controller 110 performs
the first time input process in the scan-all-first mode by
sequentially scanning, using the reader unit 200, the first
document page and the second document page of the subset of
document sheets put on the document tray of the ADF and storing the
resultant document data on the hard disk of the image storage unit
160. If the inputting of data in the first time input process is
completed (and thus the controller 110 receives, from a sensor,
information indicating that there is no more document on the
document tray), the controller 110 determines that the process has
entered into a first time intermediate state in the scan-all-first
mode and the controller 110 controls the control unit 150 so as to
display intermediate user interface screens, such as those shown in
FIGS. 7 to 11. For example, the user selects "Insert Sheet" on the
user interface screen shown in FIG. 7, selects "Copy" on the
inserted sheet on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 8,
selects "Next Page" on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 9,
and selects a colored sheet feeder as a sheet feeder for feeding
the insertion sheet on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 10
or 11. In the above process, the controller 110 describes data
associated with the first to third output pages in the page table
shown in FIG. 12. In this intermediate state, the user puts a
subset of document sheets including the third to fifth pages, to be
input in the second time input process, on the document tray of the
ADF. After the subset of document sheets is put on the ADF, the
user presses the start key on the control unit 150.
[0121] In response to pressing of the start key by the user, the
controller 110 starts the second time scanning process in the
scan-all-first mode. More specifically, the controller 110 returns
the process sequence to step S5-2 to sequentially scan, using the
reader unit 200, the third to fifth document pages included in the
subset of document sheets put on the document tray of the ADF and
store the resultant document data on the hard disk of the image
storage unit 160. If the inputting of data in the third time
scanning process is completed, and the controller 110 receives,
from a sensor, information indicating that there is no more
document on the document tray, the controller 110 determines that
the process has entered into a second time intermediate state in
the scan-all-first mode and the controller 110 controls the control
unit 150 so as to display intermediate user interface screens such
as those shown in FIGS. 7 to 11. For example, the user selects
"Insert Sheet" on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 7, Don't
Copy" on the tab sheet on the user interface screen shown in FIG.
8, "Insert before the Next Page" on a user interface screen (not
shown), and "Tab Sheet Feeder" as the sheet feeder for feeding the
insertion sheet on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 10 or
11. In the above process, the controller 110 describes data
associated with the fourth to sixth output pages in the page table
shown in FIG. 12. In this intermediate state, the user puts a
subset of document sheets including the sixth to Mth pages, to be
input in the third time input process, on the document tray of the
ADF. After the subset of document sheets is put on the ADF, the
user presses the start key on the control unit 150.
[0122] In response to pressing of the start key by the user, the
controller 110 starts the third time input process in the
scan-all-first mode. More specifically, the controller 110 returns
the process sequence to step S5-2 to sequentially scan, using the
reader unit 200, the sixth to Mth document pages of the subset of
document sheets put on the document tray of the ADF and store the
resultant document data on the hard disk of the image storage unit
160. (and thus the controller 110 receives, from a sensor,
information indicating that there is no more document on the
document tray), the controller 110 determines that the process has
entered into a third time intermediate state in the scan-all-first
mode and the controller 110 controls the control unit 150 so as to
display intermediate user interface screens, such as those shown in
FIGS. 7 to 11. In the above process, the controller 110 describes
data associated with the seventh to Nth (last) output pages in the
page table shown in FIG. 12. The total number of output pages
becomes equal to the sum of the number of output pages specified as
"Insert Sheet" and "Don't Copy" and the number of the input
document pages. In the present example, the sixth output page is
specified as "Insert Sheet" and "Don't Copy", and thus the total
number of output pages, N, is equal to the number of input document
pages plus 1.
[0123] If the end key 706 on the user interface screen shown in
FIG. 7 is pressed by the user in the third time intermediate state,
the controller 110 combines together the document data including
the document data of the first and second document pages, the
document data of the third to fifth document pages, and the
document data of the sixth to Mth document pages, which have been
input in the three input processes and stored on the hard disk. The
controller 110 then performs an output process as a single job in
accordance with the page order specified in the page table wherein
the controller 110 controls various units such as the image storage
unit 160 and the printer unit 300, so that a sheet, an insertion
sheet or a tab sheet, of a type specified by the user via a user
interface screen (such as those shown in FIGS. 7 to 11) displayed
in an intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode is inserted at
a page position specified by the user via a user interface screen
in a manner (output mode such as "Print on the Inserted Sheet" or
"Don't Print on the Inserted Sheet") specified by the user via a
user interface screen.
[0124] FIG. 22B shows output pages obtained in the job described
above.
[0125] Of the output pages in the single job, first and second
output pages are processed in the normal print mode using normal
paper sheets supplied from the normal sheet feeder. More
specifically, the printer unit 300 prints the first page (A) of the
input document data on the first sheet and ejects the resultant
printed sheet onto the ejected-sheet tray thereby producing the
first output page, and then prints the second page (B) of the input
document data on the second sheet and ejects the resultant printed
sheet onto the ejected-sheet tray thereby producing the second
output page.
[0126] Of the output pages in the present job, a third output page
is processed in accordance with "Insert Sheet and Copy", wherein
colored paper supplied from a specified insertion sheet feeder is
employed for the third output page. More specifically, the printer
unit 300 prints the third page (C) of the input document data on
colored paper given as a third sheet and ejects the resultant
printed sheet onto the ejected-sheet tray thereby producing the
third output page. Fourth and fifth output pages are processed in
the normal print mode using sheets supplied from the normal sheet
feeder. More specifically, the printer unit 300 prints the fourth
page (D) of the input document data on a fourth sheet and ejects
the resultant printed sheet onto the ejected-sheet tray thereby
producing the fourth output page, and then prints the fifth page
(E) of the input document data on a fifth sheet and ejects the
resultant printed sheet thereby producing the fifth output
page.
[0127] Of the output pages in the present job, a sixth output page
is processed in accordance with "Insert Tab Sheet" and "Don't
Copy", wherein a tab sheet supplied from a specified tab sheet
feeder is employed fro the sixth output page. More specifically,
for the sixth output page, the printer unit 300 performs an
operation in accordance with the processing conditions specified in
the page table such that a tab sheet is simply output, without
being printed, from a specified sheet feeder onto the ejection
tray.
[0128] Of the output pages in the present job, seventh output page
to Nth page (last page) are processed in the normal print mode
using selected sheets (normal sheets). More specifically, the
printer unit 300 prints the sixth page (F) of the input document
data on a seventh sheet and ejects the resultant printed sheet onto
the ejected-sheet tray thereby producing the seventh output page,
and then prints the seventh page (G) of the input document data on
an eight sheet and ejects the resultant printed sheet onto the
ejected-sheet tray thereby producing the eight output page. A
similar process is performed until the last output page has bee
processed. For the last output page (Nth output page), the last
page (Mth page) (Z) of the input document is printed and output
onto the ejected-sheet tray.
[0129] According to the present embodiment, as described above, a
plurality of document data input separately via a plurality of
input processes in the scan-all-first mode can be dealt with in a
single job. Furthermore, users can make settings, for example, in
terms of conditions in the sheet insertion mode, as in the above
example, in an intermediate state after the inputting of data in
the scan-all-first mode is started and before the output process of
the data is started, and the following process for the data to be
dealt with in the single job can be performed in accordance with
the conditions set in the intermediate state. A plurality of
document data input separately via a plurality of input processes
can be processed as one group of data as a single job in a manner
in which the processing conditions set by a user in an intermediate
state in the scan-all-first mode are reflected.
[0130] The technique disclosed above makes it unnecessary to set
processing conditions such as those associated with the sheet
insertion before inputting of document data to be processed is
started. That is, a user is allowed to make settings of the
processing conditions associated with sheet insertion at a time
after the input of document data is started. Furthermore, the
scan-all-first mode makes it possible to deal with document data
including a large number of pages which cannot be input all at one
time. That is, in the scan-all-first mode, a set of document sheets
is input part by part, and an intermediate state is provided after
completion inputting of a part of the set of document sheets and
before starting inputting of a following part, to allow a user to
make settings. This allows the user to correctly and easily
determine positions at which sheets should be inserted, on the
basis of visual observation. The inputting of document data on the
part-by-part basis allows the user to easily distinguish a part
which has been already processed and a part which should be
processed next. Furthermore, it becomes possible to deal with a
small number of document sheets in one input process, and thus it
becomes easy to determine at which page a sheet should be inserted.
This allows the user to easily make settings of details of
processing conditions. In the technique according to the present
embodiment, unlike the conventional technique in which users have
to calculate pages at which to insert sheets, which can often cause
an error, users can easily make settings associated with sheet
insertion in a highly reliable fashion.
Second Embodiment
[0131] A second embodiment of the present invention is described
below.
[0132] A technique of combining a form image with document data is
known in the art of an image forming apparatus or system including
built-in memory such as a hard disk, such as a digital copying
machine or a digital multifunction machine. This technique is
referred to herein as a composite-with-form mode. In the
composite-with-form mode, an arbitrary number of form images are
stored in a memory such as a hard disk in advance. In an output
process such as a printing process, one of the form images stored
in the memory is selected by a user and combined with one or more
pages of input document data or the selected form image is simply
inserted between pages of document data. In this second embodiment,
the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus
having a composite-with-form mode capability, as described below.
First, the composite-with-form mode is described in further detail
with reference to FIG. 16. FIG. 16 shows an example of a set of
output pages obtained in the composite-with-form mode. In this
specific example, a form image X (7170) is selected from form
images stored on the hard disk of image storage unit 160 and
inserted between a fifth document page E and a sixth document page
F of a full set of input document images A to K including a total
of nine pages. The present invention is also advantageous in such a
composite-with-form mode.
[0133] In the apparatus or the system according to the present
invention, settings of processing conditions in the scan-all-first
mode may be allowed only for one mode such as the sheet insertion
mode disclosed in the first embodiment or the composite-with-form
mode disclosed in the second mode, or may be allowed for two or
more modes, for example for both the sheet insertion mode and the
composite-with-form mode. The present invention may be applied to
an apparatus or a system capable of making settings of processing
conditions in the scan-all-first mode at least for one of these
modes. In this second embodiment, the user interface screen for
setting processing conditions associated with sheet insertion in
the scan-all-first mode according to the first embodiment is
replaced with a user interface screen for setting processing
conditions associated with composite-with-form processing in the
scan-all-first mode, and the flow charts in the first embodiment
are replaced with corresponding flow charts, while the other
elements or processes in the second embodiment are similar to those
in the first embodiment, although they are not described
herein.
[0134] FIG. 17 shows a user interface screen displayed on the
control panel of the control unit 150 by the controller 110 in the
intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode. This user interface
screen is similar to the user interface screen shown in FIG. 7
which is also displayed in the intermediate state in the
scan-all-first mode, except that it is allowed to make settings
associated with some different processing conditions.
[0135] The user interface screen shown in FIG. 17 is displayed in a
similar manner in a similar situation as in the previous
embodiment. More specifically, the controller 110 displays the user
interface screen shown in FIG. 17 in step S5-5 in the flow chart
shown in FIG. 5. Steps before S5-5 in the flow chart shown in FIG.
5 are performed in a similar manner as in the previous embodiment
described above. The user interface screen shown in FIG. 17 is
displayed by the controller 110, as with the user interface screen
shown in FIG. 7, at a proper time after the inputting of document
data in the scan-all-first mode is started and before the
outputting process, in a single job, of the document data from the
hard disk of the image storage unit 160 is started. In the present
embodiment, as in the previous embodiment, this user interface
screen is displayed whenever the intermediate state in the
scan-all-first mode occurs after completion of inputting of a pile
of document data in the ADF mode (or after completion of inputting
of one document sheet using the platen.
[0136] The user interface screen shown in FIG. 17 is similar to
that shown in FIG. 7 except for a composite-with-form key 727. The
user interface screen shown in FIG. 17 is produced by the control
unit 150, under the control of the controller 110, on the basis of
the data stored in the memory (not shown) of the image storage unit
160 such as the display data, the data indicating the processing
conditions specified by the user, and the data indicating the
operation status of the apparatus. If the composite-with-form key
727 on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 17 is pressed, the
controller 110 controls the control unit 150 so as to switch the
displayed screen to a form image setting screen such as that shown
in FIG. 18.
[0137] The screen shown in FIG. 18 includes an area for allowing
the user to select one of the form images stored on the hard disk
of the image storage unit 160 and also an area for allow the user
to specify an output mode in which the selected form image should
be output. For example, the user may select one of two modes: a
composite mode in which a selected form image and an input document
image are combined, and a resultant composite image is printed on a
sheet; and a form image insertion mode in which only a form image
is printed on a sheet without combining the form image with a
document image and the printed sheet is inserted between pages on
which document images are printed.
[0138] In the specific example shown in FIG. 17, a form image
having a name "Image X" with a form image number 1 and a form image
having a name "Image Y" with a form image number 2 are stored on
the hard disk.
[0139] On the screen shown in FIG. 18, the user can select a
desired form image from a list 728 in which form images stored on
the hard disk are listed. A key 729 is used to specify the
insertion mode in which a form image selected from the list 728 is
inserted between specified pages on which document images are
printed. In this mode, the form image is not combined with a
document image, but only the form image is printed on a sheet and
the resultant printed sheet is inserted between pages on which
document images are printed. A key 730 is used to specify the
composite mode in which a form image selected from the list 728 is
combined with a specified document image and a composite image is
printed on a sheet. In the case in which the composite mode is
selected by pressing the key 730, a document image to be combined
with the form image selected from the list 728 can be specified by
the user via a user interface screen which will be described later.
In the selection, only one of key 729 or 730 can be selected. The
controller 110 controls the control unit 150 so as to allow the
user to select only one of the keys 729 and 730. If the composite
mode is selected by the user by pressing the key 730 and the OK key
731 on the screen is then pressed, the controller 110 controls the
control unit 150 so as to switch the screen displayed on the
control panel to a screen such as that shown in FIG. 19.
[0140] The user interface screen shown in FIG. 19 is displayed, as
described above, when the composite key 730 on the user interface
screen shown in FIG. 18 is pressed. On the other hand, in the case
in which the insertion key 729 on the user interface screen in FIG.
18 is selected, a user interface screen different from that shown
in FIG. 19 is displayed so that the user is allowed to specify a
position at which a sheet having a form image printed thereon
should be inserted.
[0141] On the user interface screen shown in FIG. 19, the user is
allowed to specify which page of the set of document data input in
the scan-all-first mode should be combined with a form image
selected via the user interface screen shown in FIG. 18, in the
composite mode selected by pressing the composite key 730 on the
user interface screen shown in FIG. 18.
[0142] If a key 734 on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 19
is selected by the user, the controller 110 selects document image
data which will be input first in a next input process performed in
repetition of step S5-2, and thus which has not input yet at the
present time, as a document image with which to combine the
selected form image. The controller 110 then controls related units
such as the reader unit 200, the image storage unit 160, the
printer unit 300, and the control unit 150, so that the selected
document data and the selected form image are combined and printed.
On the other hand, in the case in which a key 735 on the user
interface screen shown in FIG. 19 is selected by the user, of the
subset of document data which has already been input and stored on
the hard disk in the input process including repetition of step
S5-2, a last document page, input at the end of the above input
process, is selected as the document image with which to combine
the selected form image, and the controller 110 then controls
related units, such as the reader unit 200, the image storage unit
160, the printer unit 300, and the control unit 150, so that the
selected document data and the selected form image are combined and
printed.
[0143] As for the keys 734 and 735, like the keys 729 and 730, only
one of them can be selected. The respective processing conditions,
for the document data to be processed in the scan-all-first mode,
concerning the form image set by the user via the user interface
screens such as those shown in FIGS. 17 to 19 displayed in the
intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode are reflected in
table data which is produced in step S5-13 in a similar manner to
the table data shown in FIG. 12.
[0144] The controller 110 creates a page table on the memory as
shown in FIG. 20 in a similar manner as in the previous embodiment
described above.
[0145] In the specific example shown in FIG. 20, table data is
produced for M-page document data input part by part via at least
three input processes in the scan-all-first mode. More
specifically, the table data is produced by the controller 110 in
such a situation as described below. For example, when a set of
document sheets is given, if first and second pages are scanned and
resultant document data is stored on the hard disk in a first time
input process in the scan-all-first mode; third to fifth pages are
scanned and resultant document data is stored on the hard disk in a
second time input process; and sixth to Mth pages are scanned and
resultant document data is stored on the hard disk in a third time
input process, and if in a first time intermediate state in the
scan-all-first mode after completion of the first time input
process and before the start of the second time input process, the
user makes selections via the user interface screens such as those
shown in FIGS. 17 to 19 displayed on the control unit 150 by
pressing the composite-with-form key 727 on the user interface
screen shown in FIG. 17, selecting the form image #1 and pressing
the composite key 730 on the user interface screen shown in FIG.
18, and pressing the next page key 734 on the user interface screen
shown in FIG. 19; in a second time intermediate state in the
scan-all-first mode after completion of the second time input
process and before the start of the third time input process, the
user makes selections via user interface screens displayed on the
control unit 150 by pressing the composite-with-form key 727 on the
user interface screen shown in FIG. 17, selecting the form image #2
and pressing the insertion key 729 on the user interface screen
shown in FIG. 18, and pressing a key (not shown) on a user
interface screen (not shown) to specify that the form image should
be inserted before a page which will be scanned next; and in a
third time intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode after
completion of the third time input process, the user presses the
end key on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 17, then the
table data is produced on the memory by the controller 110 as shown
in FIG. 20. As described earlier in the first embodiment, similar
table data to that shown in FIG. 20 can be produced not only in the
above-described manner and situation but also in a different manner
and situation. For example, in a case in which intermediate states
appear one page after the respective intermediate states in the
above-described example, if the last page key 735 is selected on
the user interface screen shown in FIG. 19, a data table similar to
that shown in FIG. 20 is also produced.
[0146] In the data table shown in FIG. 20, row 732 indicates that
the form image #1 of those stored on the hard disk should be
combined with the document data of the third page and the resultant
composite image should be printed, as a third output page, on a
sheet fed from the normal sheet feeder. In the same data table, row
733 indicates that the form image #2 stored on the hard disk should
be printed on a sheet fed from the normal sheet feeder without
combining the form image #2 with document data and the resultant
printed sheet should be inserted as a sixth output page after a
sheet on which the document data of the fifth page is printed,
before a sheet on which the document data of the sixth page is
printed.
[0147] The operation sequence of reading and printing data
according to the page table can be performed in a similar manner as
in the previous embodiment described earlier, and thus a further
description thereof is not given here.
[0148] A specific example is described below with reference to
FIGS. 23A and 23B, which show a manner in which a set of document
data is input and output in the scan-all-first mode under the
control of the controller 110 in accordance with flow charts shown
in FIGS. 4, 5, and 15 and a similar flow chart (not shown) which
does not include steps relating to a composite-with-form
process.
[0149] FIG. 23A shows a manner in which a set of document sheets is
input part by part via a plurality of input processes in the
scan-all-first mode, and also shows how intermediate states appear
and a manner in which the user makes settings in the intermediate
states.
[0150] In the example shown in FIG. 23A, inputting is performed for
a total of M pages as described in the data table shown in FIG. 20.
A set of documents including M pages is input using the ADF of the
apparatus part by part via three input processes. Of the full set
of document sheets, two pages, including a first page and a second
page, are input in a first time input process, three pages,
including third to fifth pages, are input in a second time input
process, and (M-5) pages, including sixth to Mth pages, are input
in a third time input process. It is assumed that the
scan-all-first mode has been already set by the user via the
control unit 150.
[0151] In step S5-2 shown in FIG. 5, the controller 110 performs
the first time input process in the scan-all-first mode by
sequentially scanning, using the reader unit 200, the first
document page and the second document page of the subset of
document sheets put on the document tray of the ADF and storing the
resultant document data on the hard disk of the image storage unit
160. If the inputting of data in the first time input process is
completed and the controller 110 receives, from a sensor,
information indicating that there is no more document on the
document tray, the controller 110 determines that the process has
entered into a first time intermediate state in the scan-all-first
mode and the controller 110 controls the control unit 150 so as to
display intermediate user interface screens such as those shown in
FIGS. 17 to 19. In this situation, for example, the user makes
selections in such a manner that the composite-with-form key is
pressed on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 17, the form
image #1 is selected and the composite key is pressed on the user
interface screen shown in FIG. 18, the next page key is pressed on
the user interface screen shown in FIG. 19, and a normal sheet
feeder is selected on a user interface screen (not shown). In the
above process, the controller 110 describes data associated with
the first to third output pages in the page table shown in FIG. 20.
In this intermediate state, the user puts a subset of document
sheets including the third to fifth pages, to be input in the
second time input process, on the document tray of the ADF. After
the subset of document sheets is put on the ADF, the user presses
the start key on the control unit 150.
[0152] In response to pressing of the start key by the user, the
controller 110 starts the second time input process in the
scan-all-first mode. More specifically, the controller 110 returns
the process sequence to step S5-2 to sequentially scan, using the
reader unit 200, the third to fifth document pages of the subset of
document sheets put on the document tray of the ADF and store the
resultant document data on the hard disk of the image storage unit
160. If the inputting of data in the second time input process is
completed and thus the controller 110 receives, from a sensor,
information indicating that there is no more document on the
document tray, the controller 110 determines that the process has
entered into a second time intermediate state in the scan-all-first
mode and the controller 110 controls the control unit 150 so as to
display intermediate user interface screens such as those shown in
FIGS. 17 to 19. In this situation, for example, the user makes
selections in such a manner that "Composite with Form" is selected
on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 17, "Image #2" is
selected and the insertion key is pressed on the user interface
screen shown in FIG. 18, "Insert before Next Page" is selected on a
user interface (not shown), and a normal sheet feeder is selected
on a user interface screen (not shown). In the above process, the
controller 110 describes data associated with the fourth to sixth
output pages in the page table shown in FIG. 20. In this
intermediate state, the user puts a subset of document sheets
including the sixth to Mth pages, to be input in the third time
input process, on the document tray of the ADF. After the subset of
document sheets is put on the ADF, the user presses the start key
on the control unit 150.
[0153] In response to pressing of the start key by the user, the
controller 110 starts the third time input process in the
scan-all-first mode. More specifically, the controller 110 returns
the process sequence to step S5-2 to sequentially scan, using the
reader unit 200, the sixth to Mth document pages of the subset of
document sheets put on the document tray of the ADF and store the
resultant document data on the hard disk of the image storage unit
160. If the inputting of data in the third time input process is
completed and the controller 110 receives, from a sensor,
information indicating that there are no more documents on the
document tray, the controller 110 determines that the process has
entered into a third time intermediate state in the scan-all-first
mode and the controller 110 controls the control unit 150 so as to
display intermediate user interface screens (such as those shown in
FIGS. 17 to 19). In the above process, the controller 110 describes
data associated with the seventh to Nth (last) output pages in the
page table shown in FIG. 20. The total number of output pages
becomes equal to the sum of the number of output pages assigned the
"Composite-With-Form" mode and "Insert Form Image" and the number
of pages of input document data. In the present example, "Insert
Form Image" is specified only for the sixth output page, and thus
the total number of output pages becomes N equal to the number of
pages of input document (M) plus one.
[0154] If the end key 706 on the user interface screen shown in
FIG. 17 is pressed by the user in the third time intermediate
state, the controller 110 combines together the document data
including the document data of the first and second document pages,
the document data of the third to fifth document pages, and the
document data of the sixth to Mth document pages, which have been
input in the three input processes and stored on the hard disk, and
the controller 110 controls various related units such as the image
storage unit 160 or the printer unit 300 so that an output process
is performed as a single job in accordance with the page order
specified in the page table shown in FIG. 20 such that, in
accordance with the processing conditions specified by the user via
the user interface screens shown in FIGS. 17 to 19 presented in the
intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode, a specified form
image specified via the user interface screen shown in FIG. 18 is
output at a specified page in a specified output mode (the form
image is simply inserted in this specific example).
[0155] FIG. 23B shows output pages obtained in the job described
above.
[0156] That is, of the output pages in the single job, first and
second output pages are processed in the normal print mode using
normal paper sheets supplied from the normal sheet feeder. More
specifically, the printer unit 300 prints the first page (A) of the
input document data on the first sheet and ejects the resultant
printed sheet onto the ejected-sheet tray thereby producing the
first output page, and then prints the second page (B) of the input
document data on the second sheet and ejects the resultant printed
sheet onto the ejected-sheet tray thereby producing the second
output page.
[0157] Of the output pages in the present job, the third output
page is processed so that a composite image of the form image #1 is
printed according to the specified conditions. More specifically,
the printer unit 300 prints a composite image of the third page (C)
of the input document data and the form image #1 on a sheet fed
from the normal sheet feeder and ejects the resultant printed sheet
onto the ejected-sheet tray.
[0158] Fourth and fifth output pages are processed in the normal
print mode using sheets supplied from the normal sheet feeder. More
specifically, the printer unit 300 prints the fourth page (D) of
the input document data on a fourth sheet and ejects the resultant
printed sheet onto the ejected-sheet tray thereby producing the
fourth output page, and then prints the fifth page (E) of the input
document data on a fifth sheet and ejects the resultant printed
sheet thereby producing the fifth output page.
[0159] Of the output pages in the present job, the sixth output
page is processed so that the form image #2 is printed on a sheet
and the resultant printed sheet is inserted according to the
specified conditions. More specifically, the printer unit 300
prints the form image #2 stored on the hard disk on a normal sheet
supplied from a specified normal sheet feeder without combining the
form image #2 with input document data and ejects the resultant
printed sheet onto the ejection sheet tray.
[0160] Of the output pages in the present job, seventh to Nth
(last) output pages are processed in the normal print mode using
normal paper sheets supplied from the normal sheet feeder. More
specifically, the printer unit 300 prints the sixth page (F) of the
input document data on a seventh sheet and ejects the resultant
printed sheet onto the ejected-sheet tray thereby producing the
seventh output page, and then prints the seventh page (G) of the
input document data on an eight sheet and ejects the resultant
printed sheet onto the ejected-sheet tray thereby producing the
eight output page. The remaining pages are processed in a similar
manner until the Mth (last) page (Z) of the input document data is
printed on an Nth (last) sheet and the resultant printed sheet is
ejected onto the ejected-sheet tray thereby producing the Nth
(last) output page.
[0161] According to the present embodiment, as described above, a
plurality of document data input separately via a plurality of
input processes in the scan-all-first mode can be dealt with in a
single job. Furthermore, users can make settings, for example, can
set conditions in the composite mode, as in the above example, in
an intermediate state after the inputting of data in the
scan-all-first mode is started and before the output process of the
data is started, and the following process for the data to be dealt
with in the single job can be performed in accordance with the
conditions set in the intermediate state. That is, a plurality of
document data input separately via a plurality of input processes
can be processed as one group of data (as a single job) in a manner
in which the processing conditions set by a user in an intermediate
state in the scan-all-first mode are reflected.
[0162] As described above, the present embodiment provides
advantages similar to those achieved by the previous embodiment.
Even in a case in which the process includes insertion of a form
image at a desired position and/or creation of a composite image,
the process can be easily performed without having to set all
detailed processing conditions, such as the number of document
pages, before the inputting of document data is started, and the
data can be printed in a manner specified by the user.
[0163] Although the present invention has been described above
separately with reference to the first and second embodiments, the
techniques disclosed in the first and second embodiments may be
combined. More specifically, the apparatus or the system may have
both the sheet insertion mode and the composite-with-form mode, or
the apparatus or the system may have only one of the sheet
inversion mode and the composite-with-form mode. Furthermore, the
contents of user interface screens displayed in intermediate states
in the scan-all-first mode may be modified, and the manner and
situation in which they are displayed may also be modified as
required, so as to provide advantages similar to those provided by
the first or second embodiment. Some specific examples of
modifications are described below with reference to FIGS. 24 to
27.
[0164] FIGS. 24 to 27 show examples of user interface screens
displayed on the control panel of the control unit 150 under the
control of the controller 110. Those user interface screens may be
displayed in the form of a touch panel so that users can set
processing conditions by directly touching buttons on the screens
and so that information indicating processing conditions set is
displayed on the screens.
[0165] In those examples, many portions are similar to those in the
first or second embodiment, and thus only different portions are
described below.
[0166] When the apparatus is in an initial state in which no
commands have been issued yet by a user, the controller 110
displays the user interface screen shown in FIG. 24A as an initial
user interface screen on the display panel of the control unit 150.
If the extension key 2400 on the user interface screen shown in
FIG. 24A is pressed by the user, the controller 110 controls the
control unit 150 so as to display a user interface screen shown in
FIG. 24B thereby allowing the user to set various modes.
[0167] For example, a page split key on the user interface screen
shown in FIG. 24B is used to select a mode in which one page of
input document data is split at the vertical center line of the
original document page into two pages and each of the resultant two
pages is printed on a separate sheet. A cover/insertion sheet key
on the same screen is a command key to select a mode in which
special sheets such as cover sheets or insertion sheets are
inserted at specified pages of input document data, thereby
outputting a set of printed sheets including inserted special
sheets. A reduced layout key on the same screen is a command key to
select a mode in which an arbitrarily selected number of pages
(selected from candidate numbers of pages, such as 2 pages, 4
pages, 8 pages, 9 pages, and 16 pages) are printed on one side of a
sheet in such a manner that respective pages are reduced and
resultant reduced images are arranged in a specified form. A move
key is a command key to select a mode in which input document data
is printed at a shifted position. A binding key is a command key to
select a mode in which a plurality of input document pages are
printed and resultant printed pages are bound into a single piece.
A transparency interleaving key is a command key to select a mode
in which respective pages of input document data are printed on
transparencies and normal sheets, and resultant transparencies and
normal sheets are alternately placed. An enlarged layout key is a
command key to select a mode in which one page of input image is
divided into a plurality of images and the resultant respective
images are enlarged by a proper factor and printed on different
sheets. A binding margin key is a command key to select a mode in
which input document data is printed on a sheet such that A mixed
documents key is a command key to select a mode in which plural
sets of document data, which are different in type, for example, a
set of document data with a size of A4 and a set of document data
with a size of A3, are processed in a single job. A scan-all-first
key is a command key to select the scan-all-first mode described
above with reference to specific embodiments. A job completion
notification key is a command key to select a mode in which when a
job of output process is completed, the apparatus notifies users of
the fact that the job is completed. A frame masking key is a
command key to select a mode in which input document data is
printed such that no printing is performed in a particular area
with a specified width at a specified position. As described above,
users can arbitrarily select one or more desired processing modes
via the user interface screen shown in FIG. 24B. The present
embodiment also has other processing modes such as a staple mode or
a double-sided mode in addition to those displayed on the user
interface screen shown in FIG. 24B. Such modes can be selected via
another user interface screen (not shown). If the controller 110
detects that a processing mode has been selected by a user via a
user interface screen, the controller 110 controls the apparatus so
as to perform a process in the selected processing mode. Note that
the user can an arbitrary number of processing modes via one or
more user interface screens. That is, one or more processing modes
can be set for a particular job. However, in the case in which a
plurality of processing modes are set for one job, only
combinations of plural processing modes which are consistent and do
not collide with each other are allowed. For example, a combination
of the double-sided mode and the staple mode or a combination of
the reduced layout mode and the double-sided mode are allowed, but
any combination which are inconsistent or collide with each other
is not allowed. More specifically, some command keys are displayed
in a shaded fashion and are disabled, if necessary, so that users
cannot select an unallowable combination. For example, a
combination of the reduced layout mode and the enlarged layout
mode, a combination of the mixed document mode and the binding
mode, etc., are not allowed. The control of enabling or disabling
combinations of processing modes is performed on the basis of
information associated with respective processing modes described
in a table and stored in a memory.
[0168] If the controller 110 detects that a processing mode is set
by a user via a user interface screen such as the extension screen
shown in FIG. 24B, the controller 110 controls the control unit 150
to display a user interface screen in which information indicating
the processing mode set by the user is displayed. For example, if
the scan-all-first key on the extension screen shown in FIG. 24B is
pressed by a user, the controller 110 displays a user interface
screen, such as that shown in FIG. 24C, in which information
indicating that the scan-all-first mode has been selected is
displayed in an area 2401 of the user interface screen.
[0169] Herein, after the scan-all-first mode is selected by the
user via the extension screen shown in FIG. 24B, if a subset of
document sheets to be processed in the scan-all-first mode is put
on the ADF or one of the subset of document sheets is put on the
platen glass and further the start key on the control unit 150 (not
shown) is pressed by the user, the controller 110 controls the
reader unit 200 to start the process of inputting the document data
of the subset of document sheets in the scan-all-first mode and
sequentially stores the document data acquired via the reader unit
200 on the hard disk of the image storage unit 160. If the subset
of document sheets to be input in the present input process has all
been input, the controller 110 switches the state of the apparatus
into the intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode. In this
intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode, the controller 110
displays an intermediate user interface screen, such as that shown
in FIG. 25, which is different from that shown in FIG. 7 or that
shown in FIG. 17, on the control panel of the control unit 150. In
the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, the user interface
screen 2501 for use in intermediate states in the scan-all-first
mode is displayed in a pop-up fashion or the like in which the
intermediate user interface screen 2501 overlaps an existing user
interface screen 2500, such as the initial user interface screen or
a user interface screen, such as that shown in FIG. 6, which
notifies the user that the process is in the scan-all-first mode,
thereby allowing the user to easily perform the operation.
[0170] The user interface screen 2501 for use in intermediate
states in the scan-all-first mode includes a guidance display area
for displaying guidance information indicating an operation to be
performed by users, such as a message "Ready to Scan Documents.
Replace Documents and Press the Start Key" (2502). The user
interface screen 2501 also includes status display areas for
displaying the status of the apparatus, such as a display area 2503
for displaying the available memory capacity (99% in the example
shown in FIG. 25) and an area in which a message "Waiting for a
Scan Start Command" is displayed. The user interface screen 2501
also includes parameter display areas such as a display area 2504
in which, in the specific example shown in FIG. 25, information
indicating that the specified scaling factor is 100% and the
specified size of output sheets is A4 is displayed; a display area
2512 in which, in the present example, information indicating that
the specified number of output sheets is 1 and the specified number
of copies is 1 is displayed; a display area 2505 in which, in the
present example, information indicating that the scanning intensity
level is automatically adjusted is displayed; and a display area
2506 in which, in the present example, information indicating that
the specified document type is text is displayed.
[0171] Furthermore, the user interface screen 2501 for use in
intermediate states in the scan-all-first mode allows the user to
change the setting in terms of the number of sheets to be output
and the number of copies to be output via the display area 2512,
and also allows the user to change the scanning intensity level by
using the key 2505. Furthermore, it is possible to change the
setting in terms of the document type via the display area 2506.
That is, those display areas functions not only to display
information indicating the current processing conditions but also
to allow users to change the processing conditions. As described
above, the user interface screen 2501 includes command keys for
changing processing conditions currently set for a job to be
processed in the scan-all-first mode.
[0172] Furthermore, the user interface screen 2501 for use in
intermediate states in the scan-all-first mode also includes a
display area 2507. This display area 2507 includes a command key
2508 and a command key 2509. By pressing the command key 2508 in an
intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode, the user can specify
the sheet insertion mode for a job to be processed in the
scan-all-first mode. On the other hand, by pressing the command key
2509 in an intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode, the user
can specify the composite-with-form mode, which has been described
earlier in the second embodiment, for a job to be processed in the
scan-all-first mode. That is, the user interface screen 2501 also
includes command keys for setting new conditions, in addition to
the above described command keys for changing the current
processing conditions. If the key 2508 is pressed by a user, the
controller 110 controls the apparatus so as to perform processing
in a similar manner as described in the first embodiment. On the
other hand, if the key 2509 is pressed by a user, the controller
110 controls the apparatus so as to perform processing in a similar
manner as described in the second embodiment. The manner in which
the user interface screen is switched in response to pressing one
of those keys and the manner in which the controller 110 controls
the apparatus in response to pressing one of those keys are similar
to those described above in the first or second embodiment with
reference to the flow charts and figures, and thus a further
description thereof is not given herein.
[0173] Furthermore, the display area 2507 in the user interface
screen 2501 for use intermediate states in the scan-all-first mode
also includes keys 2510 and 2511. The key 2510 functions as a
condition display key indicating whether the double-sided print
mode or the single-sided print mode is currently set for a job to
be processed in the scan-all-first mode, and the key 2510 also
functions as a condition change key which allows users to switch
the print mode assigned to a job to be processed in the
scan-all-first mode in such a manner that when the double-sided
print mode is currently set, the print mode is switched to the
single-sided print mode in response to pressing the key 2510 while
the print mode is switched to the double-sided print mode if the
key 2510 is pressed when the current print mode is the single-sided
print mode.
[0174] The key 2511 functions as a new-condition setting key which
allows a user to set, in an intermediate state in the
scan-all-first mode, an extension mode for a job to be processed in
the scan-all-first mode. When the user interface screen shown in
FIG. 24A is displayed before the reader unit 200 started the
inputting of a set of document data in the scan-all-first mode, if
an extension mode is selected by a user by pressing the extension
key 2400 on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 24A, the key
2511 on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 25 may be displayed
in a highlighted fashion (in a different color such as blue) so
that the user can understand that the extension mode has already
been set. If the key 2511 on the user interface screen 2501 is
pressed by a user in an intermediate state in the scan-all-first
mode, the controller 110 controls the control unit 150 so as to
switch the screen displayed on the display panel of the control
unit 150 from the user interface screen 2501 being currently
displayed to the user interface screen shown in FIG. 24B thereby
allowing a user to set, in an intermediate state in the
scan-all-first mode, a desired extension mode for a job to be
processed in the scan-all-first mode. If an extension mode is set
via the user interface screen shown in FIG. 24B in an intermediate
state in the scan-all-first mode, the controller 110 controls
various relating units in a similar manner to the manner described
earlier with reference to FIG. 15, although a further description
is not given herein. If the close key is pressed by the user after
a desired extension mode is selected on the user interface screen
shown in FIG. 24B in the intermediate state in the scan-all-first
mode, the controller 110 describes information indicating the
processing conditions associated with the extension mode selected
via the user interface screen, in the page table associated with
the job to be performed in the scan-all-first mode such as that
shown in FIG. 12 or 20. The controller 110 then switches the user
interface screen displayed on the display panel of the control unit
150 from the user interface screen shown in FIG. 24B to a user
interface screen shown in FIG. 25. Thereafter, the controller 110
controls the respective units so as to correctly perform processing
in accordance with the page table described above.
[0175] In the present embodiment, the user interface screen such as
that shown in FIG. 25 is provided in an intermediate state in the
scan-all-first mode thereby allowing a user to make settings
associated with various processing conditions in the extension
mode, such as "page split", "cover/insertion sheet", "reduced
layout", "move", "binding", "transparency interleaving", "enlarged
layout", "binding margin", "mixed documents", "job completion
notification", "frame masking", and "stapling", in addition to the
sheet insertion mode and the composite-with-form mode.
[0176] This not only provides advantages similar to those provided
by the first or second embodiment described above, but also makes
it possible to deal with a wider variety of demands issued by
users.
[0177] As described above, the user interface screen 2501 shown in
FIG. 25, displayed by the controller 110 on the display of the
control unit 150 in intermediate states in the scan-all-first mode,
includes various display elements of different types. The user
interface screen 2501 shown in FIG. 25 is displayed on the display
of the control unit 150 under the control of the controller 110 on
the basis of display data stored in the memory disposed in the
apparatus, status data which indicates the operation status of the
apparatus and which is supplied from various sensors, and data
indicating processing condition parameters set by the user. Display
elements of different types may all be included in a single user
interface screen as with the user interface screen 2501 shown in
FIG. 25, some display elements may be displayed on a different
screen, or the respective display elements may be displayed in
units of types such that display elements of each type are
displayed on a single user interface screen. Display elements may
be displayed in any manner, as long as the purposes described above
can be achieved.
[0178] FIG. 26A to 26C show some examples of user interface screens
which are modifications to those described above. Those user
interface screens shown in FIGS. 26A to 26C are also displayed,
under the control of the controller 110, on the control panel of
the control unit 150. Those user interface screens shown in FIGS.
26A to 26C are displayed when the key 704 on the user interface
screen shown in FIG. 7, described earlier in the first embodiment,
is pressed by a user or when the key 2508 on the user interface
screen shown in FIG. 25 is pressed by a user. If the key 704 or the
key 2508 is pressed by the user, the controller 110 switches the
user interface screen displayed on the control panel of the control
unit 150 to the user interface screen shown in FIG. 26A. On the
user interface screen shown in FIG. 26A, the user can select the
type of a sheet to be inserted, from a cover sheet, a back cover
sheet, and an insertion sheet/chapter sheet. This user interface
screen also includes command keys used to select a sheet feeder for
supplying the selected type of sheets. If setting is performed by a
user by pressing some keys on the user interface screen shown in
FIG. 26A, the controller 110 switches the user interface screen
displayed on the control panel of the control unit 150 from the
user interface screen shown in FIG. 26A to a user interface screen
shown in FIG. 26B. The user interface screen shown in FIG. 26B
includes command keys for use by users to specify whether or not to
print on the sheet selected via the user interface screen shown in
FIG. 26A. If setting is performed by a user via the user interface
screen shown in FIG. 26B, the controller 110 switches the user
interface screen displayed on the control panel from the user
interface screen shown in FIG. 26B to a user interface screen shown
in FIG. 26C. The user interface screen shown in FIG. 26C includes a
selection table which allows a user to specify output pages at
which the sheets selected in FIG. 26A should be inserted.
[0179] The user interface screen shown in FIG. 26A includes those
functions provided by the user interface screen shown in FIG. 10
according to the first embodiment and may be used instead of the
user interface screen shown in FIG. 10 or 11. The user interface
screen shown in FIG. 26B includes those functions provided by the
user interface screen shown in FIG. 8 according to the first
embodiment and may be used instead of the user interface screen
shown in FIG. 8. The user interface screen shown in FIG. 26C
includes those functions provided by the user interface screen
shown in FIG. 9 according to the first embodiment and may be used
instead of the user interface screen shown in FIG. 9.
[0180] As described above, instead of using user interface screens
shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 described in the first embodiment, the user
interface screens shown in FIGS. 26A to 26C may be employed as user
interface screens for use by users to make settings, in
intermediate states in the scan-all-first mode, in terms of
processing conditions associated with insertion sheet insertion for
a job to be processed in the scan-all-first mode. This allows a
user to make settings for a job of a set of document data to be
processed in the scan-all-first mode such that a sheet of a type
specified by the user is inserted at a page position specified by
the user in an output form specified by the user, as shown in FIG.
27. If settings associated with the sheet insertion mode are
performed in the manner described above with reference to FIGS. 26
and 27, page positions at which to insert sheets can be arbitrarily
specified without being limited to a page immediately previous to
or following a page given in an intermediate state as in the first
embodiment.
[0181] In the above-described examples of processing in the
scan-all-first mode, in intermediate states before the output
process for a set of input document data is started, various
processing conditions are set for the set of document data to be
processed as a single job, and the process is performed so as to
satisfy the specified processing conditions. However, the present
invention is not limited to those examples. Alternatively, for
example, a user interface screen similar to one of those employed
in the above-described examples may be displayed on the control
panel of the control unit 150 at an arbitrary time, which may be in
an intermediate state, as a matter of course, in a period from a
time at which inputting of a set of document data in the
scan-all-first mode is started to a time at which an output process
for the set of document data to be processed as a single job in the
scan-all-first mode is started, and processing may be performed in
accordance with the settings. More specifically, for example, the
controller 110 monitors the elapsed time since the start of the
input process of a set of document data in the scan-all-first mode.
If the controller 110 detects that the elapsed time has reached a
particular value, the controller 110 displays a user interface
screen similar to one of those employed in intermediate states in
the above examples. Alternatively, in the input process of a set of
document data in the scan-all-first mode, if it is detected that a
predetermined number of pages of document sheets have been input, a
user interface screen is displayed. Alternatively, there may be
provided a user interface on the control unit so as to allow a user
to make settings asynchronously with and independently of the
operation of any unit, such as the input operation of the reader
unit 200, the printing operation of the printer unit 300, and the
storage operation of the image storage unit 160 regardless of the
operation status of the apparatus, such as the status of the input
process performed by the reader unit 200 or the status of the print
process performed by the printer unit 300. Also, a user interface
on the control unit may make setting asynchronously with and
independently of the operation of one of those units, for example,
asynchronously with and independently of the operation of the
printer unit 300, or asynchronously with and independently of the
operations of two or more units, for example, asynchronously with
and independently of the input operation of the reader unit 200 and
the printing operation of the printer unit 300, thereby allowing
the apparatus or the system to be controlled in a similar fashion
as described above. For example, a particular key is disposed on
the control unit, and if this key is pressed by a user, the
controller 110 displays a user interface screen similar to one of
those employed in intermediate states in the embodiments described
above, regardless of the operation status of units such as the
reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, to allow the user to make
settings associated with processing conditions for a job to be
processed in the scan-all-first mode.
[0182] In the present invention, the apparatus may operate not only
in a copy mode, but also in other modes such as a print mode in
which data received from en external computer is printed. When the
apparatus operates in the print mode, the operation may be
performed in an input-all-first mode corresponding to the
scan-all-first mode described above. In an alternative embodiment
which is advantageous in particular in the print mode, a user
interface screen similar to one of those employed in intermediate
states in the scan-all-first mode according to the previous
embodiments is displayed on a host computer under the control of an
operating system or driver software or application software,
running on the host computer thereby allowing the process to be
controlled by the computer or the image forming apparatus in a
similar manner as described above.
[0183] As for the hardware structure of the image input/output
apparatus according to the present invention, the respective units
such as the reader unit 200, the image storage unit 160 including
the hard disk, or the printer unit 300 may be disposed within the
image input/output apparatus or may be disposed in another
apparatus or system in a separate fashion. In any case, the present
invention may be applied. The image input/output apparatus
according to the present invention may be capable of performing
only one input process of a plurality of input processes including
image data inputting from the reader unit 200 and image data
inputting from an external apparatus via an external device
interface, or may be capable of performing a plurality of input
processes. If the image input/output apparatus is capable of
processing at least one of such input processes, the scan-all-first
mode according to the present invention may be applied. The image
input/output apparatus according to the present invention may be
capable of performing only one output process of a plurality of
output processes including printing using the printer unit 300,
storing in boxes on the hard disk of the image storage unit, data
transferring to an external apparatus via an external device
interface, or may be capable of performing a plurality of output
processes. If the image input/output apparatus is capable of
processing at least one of such output processes, the
scan-all-first mode according to the present invention may be
applied.
[0184] In the first and second embodiments described above, the
operations in the sheet insertion mode and the composite-with-form
mode have been mainly described, because the present invention is
advantageous in particular in the sheet insertion mode and also in
the composite-with-form mode. By applying the present invention to
the sheet insertion mode or the composite-with-form mode, it
becomes easier for users to make settings in terms of processing
conditions in particular those directly influenced by input
document data, such as at which input document page an insertion
sheet should be inserted or which page of document data should be
combined with a form image. The advantages of the present invention
are great in particular when there are a large number of document
sheets to be processed, because users can easily and correctly
specify processing conditions via a user interface screen provided
in an intermediate state in the scan-all-first mode without having
to have detailed knowledge about documents. In any mode other than
the sheet insertion mode or the composite-with-form mode, if it is
required to make settings relating to page information of
documents, the present invention can be advantageously applied such
that a user interface screen is displayed in an intermediate state
in the scan-all-first mode thereby allowing users to make settings.
Furthermore, in any mode in which it is required to input
information identifying a document page as one of processing
conditions, as is the case in the sheet insertion mode, the
composite-with-form mode, or a numbering mode, in which printing is
performed such that a page number is printed on each page, the
controller 110 may provide a user interface screen in an
intermediate state to allow users to make settings.
[0185] As described above with reference to the first and second
embodiments and also other embodiments, the purpose of the present
invention is to provide a technique associated with processing,
controlling, and displaying which can solve the problems in the
conventional techniques described earlier. To achieve the above
purpose, the present invention provides an image input/output
apparatus and an image input/output system capable of performing
processing in the scan-all-first mode, and a control method and a
data processing method for user in such an image input/output
apparatus and an image input/output system. The present invention
also provides a method of setting a processing condition, a method
for operation, a method of displaying a user interface screen, and
a method of controlling displaying a user interface screen, thereby
providing a user interface which allows a user to make various
necessary settings in the scan-all-first mode.
[0186] Thus, the present invention makes it possible for a user to
operate the apparatus or the system without having to complicated
and troublesome operations even for a job processed in the
scan-all-first mode. Furthermore, even in a processing mode in
which a user has to correctly set processing conditions depending
on the content and/or the state of documents to be processed, the
user does not need to know all details of the documents before the
process is started by the apparatus and does not need to set all
processing conditions before the process is started. Even in a case
in which there are a large number of documents to be processed, the
user can easily make settings without having to know all details of
processing conditions before the start of the process. That is, a
job can be output in a desired output form under specified
conditions without having to know all details of documents and
without having to make settings of all conditions before the
process is started. The advantages are great in particular when
there are a large number of documents to be processed. Furthermore,
in a processing mode in which a user has to correctly set
processing conditions depending on the content and/or the state of
documents to be processed, very great advantages can be obtained.
In such a processing mode, a job including a large number of
documents can be output in a very high efficient manner. In
processing in the sheet insertion mode or the composite-with-form
mode according to the present invention, unlike the conventional
technique, a user can make setting of processing conditions in the
sheet insertion mode or the composite-with-form mode in the middle
of the process, in an intermediate state in the scan-all-first
mode, for example, without having to make setting of all conditions
before the process is started. More specifically, in the case of
the sheet insertion mode, the user can issue a sheet insertion
execution command in the middle of process and can specify
conditions in the sheet insertion mode, such as the type of sheets
to be inserted, page positions at which to insert the sheets, and
necessity of printing on the sheets. In the case of the
composite-with-form mode, the user can issue a composite-with-form
execution command in the middle of process, and can specify
conditions in the composite-with-form mode, such as selection of a
form image, and a position at which to place the form image. When
there are a large number of document sheets to be processed in such
a mode, the process can be performed in an easy fashion without
necessitating that the user performs complicated or troublesome
operations. Even in a mode in which settings of processing
conditions should be correctly made and confirmed as in the sheet
insertion mode or the composite-with-form mode, and various
extension modes selectable via the user interface screen shown in
FIG. 24B, similar great advantages can be obtained. When a job
including a large number of documents is output in such a mode, the
output process can be correctly performed without necessitating
that the user should do troublesome operations, and thus great
advantages are obtained. Furthermore, after inputting of data is
started, if a user notices that a necessary processing condition
has not been set for the job or a processing condition has been
incorrectly set, the user can newly set a condition or correct a
wrong setting in an intermediate state. This prevents data from
being output in an undesirable form, which can occur in the
conventional technique. This is another great advantage provided by
the present invention.
[0187] Although in the embodiments described above, a user
interface screen is presented in an intermediate state at a proper
time after the inputting of document data in the scan-all-first
mode is started, thereby allowing a user to make settings of
processing conditions for the job to be output in the
scan-all-first mode, a user interface screen similar to one of
those shown in FIGS. 24A, 24B, 14, and 15 may be displayed in an
initial state before the start of the inputting of document data in
the scan-all-first mode, thereby allowing the user to make setting
of processing conditions in various modes such as the sheet
insertion mode or the composite-with-form mode. The use may select
whether setting is performed in the initial state before the start
of the inputting of the document data in the scan-all-first mode or
at a proper time after the start of the inputting of the document
data in the scan-all-first mode.
[0188] Although in the embodiments described above, the image
forming apparatus is assumed to print by means of
electrophotography, other techniques such as ink-jet printing,
thermal transfer printing, thermal printing, or electrostatic
printing may also be employed.
[0189] The present invention can be applied not only to an
apparatus installed in a separate fashion but also to a system
including a plurality of apparatuses or a system in which a
plurality of apparatuses are connected with each other via data
communication medium or a network such as LAN or a system including
a host computer and a printer or a system including a plurality of
host computers and a printer.
[0190] Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only
to a single-function apparatus or system such as an apparatus
having only a copying function but also to a multifunction
apparatus or system having two or more functions such as a copying
function, a facsimile function, a box function, and a printer
function.
[0191] The present invention may be applied to a singly-installed
independent apparatus and also to a system including a plurality of
apparatuses. The present invention may also be practiced by
supplying a medium such as a storage medium having a software
program code stored therein to an apparatus, loading the software
program code from the medium onto a computer (or a CPU or an MPU)
of a system or an apparatus, and executing the software program on
the computer.
[0192] In this case, the program code stored on the storage medium
implements the functions disclosed in the embodiments described
above, and the storage medium on which the program code is stored
falls within the scope of the present invention. Specific examples
of such storage medium for supplying the program code include a
floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magnetooptical disk, a
CD-ROM disk, a CD-R disk, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory
card, and a ROM. The software program code may also be supplied by
means of downloading via a network.
[0193] When one or more functions according to one of or a mixture
of above-described embodiments according to the present invention
are realized by executing the program code on a computer, the
operating system (OS) running on the computer may execute all or
part of the process in accordance with the program code. Note that
the realization in such a manner also falls within the scope of the
present invention.
[0194] Furthermore, one or more functions according to one of or a
mixture of above-described embodiments according to the present
invention may be realized in such a manner that a program code is
loaded from a medium such as a storage medium into a memory on an
extension board inserted in a computer or into a memory in an
extension unit connected to a computer, and a CPU provided on the
extension board or in the extension unit executes all or part of
the process in accordance with the program code. The realization in
such a manner also falls within the scope of the present
invention.
[0195] As described above, the present invention solves the
problems in the conventional techniques and makes it possible for a
user to easily and correctly make settings as desired by the user
for a job to be processed in the scan-all-first mode in a variety
of different without having to perform troublesome setting
operations. Furthermore, even in a processing mode in which a user
has to correctly set processing conditions depending on the content
and/or the state of documents to be processed, the user does not
need to know all details of the documents before the process is
started by the apparatus without having to know all details of
processing conditions before the start of the process. Even in a
case in which there are a large number of documents to be
processed, the user can easily make settings without having to know
all details of processing conditions before the start of the
process. That is, a job can be output in a desired output form
under specified conditions without having to know all details of
documents and without having to make settings of all conditions
before the process is started. The advantages are great in
particular when there are a large number of documents to be
processed. Furthermore, in a processing mode in which a user has to
correctly set processing conditions depending on the content and/or
the state of documents to be processed, very great advantages can
be obtained. In such a processing mode, a job including a large
number of documents can be output in a very high efficient manner.
In processing in the sheet insertion mode or the
composite-with-form mode according to the present invention, unlike
the conventional technique, a user can make setting of processing
conditions in the sheet insertion mode or the composite-with-form
mode in the middle of the process (in an intermediate state in the
scan-all-first mode, for example) without having to make setting of
all conditions before the process is started. More specifically, in
the case of the sheet insertion mode, the user can issue a sheet
insertion execution command in the middle of process and can
specify conditions in the sheet insertion mode, such as page
positions at which to insert the sheets, and necessity of printing
on the sheets. In the case of the composite-with-form mode, the
user can issue a composite-with-form execution command in the
middle of process, and can specify conditions in the
composite-with-form mode, such as selection of a form image, and a
position at which to place the form image. When there is a large
number of document sheets to be processed, the process can be
performed in an easy fashion without necessitating that the user
performs complicated or troublesome operations. Even in a mode in
which settings of processing conditions should be correctly made
and confirmed as in the sheet insertion mode or the
composite-with-form mode (and various extension modes selectable
via the user interface screen shown in FIG. 24B), similar great
advantages can be obtained. When a job including a large number of
documents is output in such a mode, the output process can be
correctly performed without necessitating that the user should do
troublesome operations, and thus great advantages are obtained.
Furthermore, after inputting of data is started, if a user notices
that a necessary processing condition has not been set for the job
or a processing condition has been incorrectly set, the user can
newly set a condition or correct a wrong setting in an intermediate
state. This prevents data from being output in an undesirable form,
which can occur in the conventional technique. This is another
great advantage provided by the present invention.
[0196] While the present invention has been described with
reference to what are presently considered to be the preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not
limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the
invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the
broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications
and equivalent structures and functions.
* * * * *